Synthesis of core cross-linked star polymers with adjustable coronal properties

Abstract

A range of functionalized core cross-linked star (CCS) polymers were synthesized via the "arms first" approach and subsequently modified postsynthesis to manipulate the size, density, and chemical composition of the CCS corona. Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PCL-b-PMMA) macroinitiator was used to synthesize a novel CCS polymer with a degradable outer PCL coronal layer. Subsequent hydrolysis of the PCL layer reduced the CCS arm length and effectively reduced the overall hydrodynamic diameter of the polymer. Surface-functionalized CCS polymers capable of initiating either ring-opening polymerization (ROP) or atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from the periphery of t..