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Synthesis and Direct Visualization of Dumbbell-Shaped Molecular Brushes
Ang Li1, Zhou Li2, Shiyi Zhang1,2
1Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77842, United States.
Abstract:
Dumbbell-shaped triblock molecular brushes were synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of poly(lactide) macromonomers with terminal norbornene groups (NB-PLA) in a sequential addition manner. By changing the macromonomer size and the feed ratio of Grubbs' catalyst to macromonomer, the dimensions of the "ball" and "bar" of the dumbbell-shaped molecular brushes were controlled. The growth and production of well-defined structures were verified by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and the final dumbbell-shaped architectures were visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). This synthetic methodology represents a rapid and convenient route to unique macromolecular topologies.
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