ARGET ATRP of Triblock Copolymers (PMMA--PEO--PMMA) and Their Microstructure in Aqueous Solution.

Triblock copolymers poly(methyl methacrylate)--poly(ethylene oxide)--poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA--PEO--PMMA) with designed molecular weight of PMMA and PEO blocks were synthesized via the activator regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of MMA. The Br-terminated Br-PEO-Br with the molecular weights of 20k and 100k were used as  macroinitiators. ARGET ATRP was performed with ppm level amount CuBr as the catalyst and ascorbic acid as the reducing agent to overcome the sensitivity to oxygen in a traditional ATRP.