Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (CROPISA) of 2-Oxazolines: From Block Copolymers to One-Step Gradient Copolymer Nanoparticles.

In recent years, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has emerged as a powerful method for the straightforward synthesis of polymer nanoparticles at high concentration. In this study, we describe for the first time the synthesis of poly(2-oxazoline) nanoparticles by dispersion cationic ring-opening polymerization-induced self-assembly (CROPISA) in n-dodecane. Specifically, a n-dodecane-soluble aliphatic poly(2-(3-ethylheptyl)-2-oxazoline) (PEHOx) block was chain-extended with poly(2-phenyl-2-oxazoline) (PPhOx).

Antifouling Properties of Poly(2-Oxazoline)s and Poly(2-Oxazine)s: Direct Comparison of Polymer-Coated Surfaces with the Same Coating Parameters.

This study presents a systematic comparison of the antifouling properties of water-soluble poly(2-oxazoline) (PAOx) and poly(2-oxazine) (PAOzi) brushes grafted to gold surfaces. PAOx and PAOzi are emerging polymer classes in biomedical sciences and are being considered superior alternatives to widely used polyethylene glycol (PEG). Four different polymers, poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) (PMeOx), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx), poly(2-methyl-2-oxazine) (PMeOzi), and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazine) (PEtOzi), each of them in three different chain lengths, are synthesized and characterized for their antifouling properties.

Amphiphilic Polyphosphonate Copolymers as New Additives for PDMS-Based Antifouling Coatings.

Poly(ethyl ethylene phosphonate)-based methacrylic copolymers containing polysiloxane methacrylate (SiMA) co-units are proposed as surface-active additives as alternative solutions to the more investigated polyzwitterionic and polyethylene glycol counterparts for the fabrication of novel PDMS-based coatings for marine antifouling applications. In particular, the same hydrophobic SiMA macromonomer was copolymerized with a methacrylate carrying a poly(ethyl ethylene phosphonate) (PEtEPMA), a phosphorylcholine (MPC), and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGMA) side chain to obtain non-water soluble copolymers with similar mole content of the different hydrophilic units. The hydrolysis of poly(ethyl ethylene phosphonate)-based polymers was also studied in conditions similar to those of the marine environment to investigate their potential as erodible films.