RAFT synthesis of temperature-responsive random copolymers of PEGMEMA and MAA
Abstract
Temperature-responsive random copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) were successfully synthesized using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization as indicated by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The generated atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed that the aggregations formed by the resulting polymers are spherical in shape. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) was investigated through dynamic light scattering. It was found out that there is a correlation between the amount of MAA and the copolymers’ LCST showing its potential application in drug delivery systems.Â