Miktoarm star polymers are potentially useful in applications ranging from thermoplastic elastomers to drug delivery. In contrast to star homopolymers and radial copolymers, the mikto architecture demands asymmetry in arm connectivity and molar mass distribution, which creates a significant synthetic challenge. Here, we introduce a new design strategy that simplifies the synthesis of miktoarm star polymers using norbornene-functionalized “macromonomers” and grafting-through copolymerization. Self-assembly in the bulk was studied as a function of molecular composition, arm stoichiometry, and backbone degree of polymerization (N). Insights generated from scattering experiments suggest our materials behave as dispersed mikto-star at low N with a transition to brush-like conformations as N increases. The impact of dispersity on the self-assembly behavior at low N was investigated experimentally and simulated using self-consistent field theory. These analyses complement previous reports that describe the characterization of low N homopolymer bottlebrushes using neutron scattering and rheology.

Facile synthesis and self-assembly of semi-dispersed miktoarm star polymers

2019 Spring National Meeting

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