Synthesis of associative block copolymers electrolytes via RAFT polymerization

In this work, the synthesis of associative electrolyte copolymers via the RAFT polymerization technique in solution media is reported. Well-defined polyelectrolytes as multiblock copolymers or multistickers were prepared. Previously, an hydrophilic macroRAFT agent of a statistic copolymer P(MAA-co-EA) was prepared using methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethyl acrylate (EA). Afterwards, chain extensions of the macroagent were carried out by further polymerization of stearyl methacrylate (SMA). At the end, multiblock copolymers (heptablock) were obtained by insertion of three blocks of SMA. All the polymerizations showed a living behavior with the resulting polymers exhibiting a narrow dispersity (Đ ≤ 1.5). The synthesized polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and rheological measurements. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the insertion of hydrophobic segments into the multiblock copolymers increases considerably the viscosity of the associative electrolyte polymers.