Poly(ether tert-amine): A Novel Family of Multiresponsive Polymer

A novel multiresponsive poly(ether tert-amine) (PEA) was synthesized by nucleophilic addition/ring-opening reaction of commercial poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), and di-epoxy and di-amine monomer. The process of synthesis was very simple and green in ethanol as reactive media. These PEAS exhibit sharp response to temperature, pH, and ionic strength, with adjustable and sharp phase transitions in the range of 27-100 degrees C. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PENS aqueous solution presents a linear relationship to the PEO content (y = 35.7 + x), indicating well-tunable LCST. The concentration of PEA has no obvious effect on LCST. Therefore, PEA will be potential in applications of drug delivery, separation, and biotechnology. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1292-1297, 2009