Synthesis and self-aggregation of PTRIS-co-MMA polymer films via ARGET ATRP

In this paper, a series of silicon-containing acrylate copolymers (pTRIS-co-MMA) were synthesized via activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP), yielding the desired molecular weight (M-n) and polydispersity index (PDI). We studied how M-n and PDI impact self-aggregation behaviors of the silicon in the copolymer films. The results revealed that when pTRIS-co-MMA (10/100, mol/mol) polymer formed a continuous film, more silicon enriched at the film-air interface with increasing M-n of the polymer. Conversely, in the context of less TRIS moiety in the copolymer, the self-aggregation of the silicon in the film was hindered with increasing M-n. In addition, PDI has less effect on the self-aggregation of the silicon in all cases. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.