Polyester/Poly(meth)acrylate Block Copolymers by Combined Polycondensation/ATRP: Characterization and Properties

Polyester/poly(meth)acrylate block copolymers are synthesized using a combination of polycondensation and ATRP. All block copolymers are characterized by means of NMR and GPC. Agreement between theoretical molecular weights of the polymers with observed GPC values suggests controlled polymerization. In the case of unsaturated-polyester-based block copolymers the main chain double bond in the polyester backbone remains almost unaffected during ATRP. The unsaturated block copolymers are crosslinkable and can form networks upon photoirradiation in the presence of a suitable photoinitiator. These copolymers might be interesting candidates for coatings with better overall properties than those based on neat polyesters.