Synthesis and self-assembly of sugar-mimic block copolymers

Abstract

In this study, we utilized synthetic polymers that mimic sugars to investigate the similarities and differences between block copolymer systems based on polysaccharide. Glycomonomers were synthesized by introducing polymerizable acrylate functional groups to glucose monosaccharides, and glycopolymers were synthesized via RAFT polymerization. Block copolymers were also synthesized via sequential RAFT polymerization, depending on the properties of the polymers used as different blocks. The successful synthesis was confirmed by NMR and GPC. We compared the thermal properties of the sugar-mimic polymer with dextran, a polysaccharide, and discovered that it has higher thermal stability and a lower glass transition temperature. SAXS analysis also confirmed that the block copolymers self-assemble into a lamellar structure. This system will serve as a basis for future studies to overcome the experimental limitations of polysaccharides and to understand the phase behavior of block copolymers with natural polymers.