Synthesis and solution properties of telechelic poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) bearing perfluoro end groups†
Na Xue,Xiaoming Hou,Xing-Ping Qiu,Xiaotao Song,Qingguo Feng,Xiaozhi Liu
Polymer Chemistry Pub Date : 11/09/2022 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D2PY00815G
Abstract

Amphiphilic telechelic poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (Mn = 7.7 kg mol−1) end-capped with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-1-decanyl end groups (FPIPOZ) was prepared through cationic ring-opening polymerization followed by the ligation of alkyne–azide cycloaddition. At room temperature, FPIPOZ self-assembled into flower-like micelles in water above cac (0.35 g L−1). In comparison with its precursor polymer N3PIPOZ, the FPIPOZ aqueous solution had a lower Tc, a reduced phase transition enthalpy, and a much lower degree of crystallization. When exposed to THF vapor, an initially smooth FPIPOZ film reassembled into discs comprised of multiple lamella layers on silicon wafers, according to a THF vapor annealing experiment. This is the first observation of such an assembly pattern for PIPOZ. The N3PIPOZ films, on the other hand, generated fibers on the surface upon exposure to THF vapor. The distinct surface assembly behaviors of FPIPOZ and its precursor N3PIPOZ during solvent annealing added to our knowledge of polyoxazoline phase behaviors.

Graphical abstract: Synthesis and solution properties of telechelic poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) bearing perfluoro end groups