Shape-shifting thermoreversible diblock copolymer nano-objects via RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization of...

2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HPMA) is a useful model monomer for understanding aqueous dispersion polymerization. 4-Hydroxybutyl acrylate (HBA) is an isomer of HPMA: it has appreciably higher aqueous solubility so its homopolymer is more weakly hydrophobic. Moreover, PHBA possesses a significantly lower glass transition temperature than PHPMA, which ensures greater chain mobility. The reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) aqueous dispersion polymerization of HBA using a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG₁₁₃) precursor at 30 °C produces PEG₁₁₃-PHBA_200-700 diblock copolymer nano-objects. Using glutaraldehyde to crosslink the PHBA chains allows TEM studies, which reveal the formation of spheres, worms or vesicles under appropriate conditions. Interestingly, the partially hydrated highly mobile PHBA block enabled linear PEG₁₁₃-PHBA spheres, worms or vesicles to be reconstituted from freeze-dried powders on addition of water at 20 °C. Moreover, variable temperature ¹H NMR studies indicated that the apparent degree of hydration of the PHBA block increases from 5% to 80% on heating from 0 °C to 60 °C indicating uniform plasticization. In contrast, the PHPMA chains within PEG₁₁₃-PHPMA nano-objects become dehydrated on raising the temperature: this qualitative difference is highly counter-intuitive given that PHBA and PHPMA are isomers. The greater (partial) hydration of the PHBA block at higher temperature drives the morphological evolution of PEG₁₁₃-PHBA₂₆₀ spheres to form worms or vesicles, as judged by oscillatory rheology, dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering and TEM studies. Finally, a variable temperature phase diagram is constructed for 15% w/w aqueous dispersions of eight PEG₁₁₃-PHBA_200-700 diblock copolymers. Notably, PEG₁₁₃-PHBA₃₅₀ can switch reversibly from spheres to worms to vesicles to lamellae during a thermal cycle.