Preparation of block copolymer by atom transfer radical seeded emulsion polymerization

Poly(i-butyl methacrylate)-polystyrene block copolymer was successfully prepared in an aqueous medium by two-step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), mini-emulsion- and seeded-ATRP, in which ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate/CuBr/4,4'-dinonyl-2,2'-dipyridyl initiator system was used. The block copolymer had narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1.1) and the number-average molecular weight measured by gel permeation chromatography agreed with the calculated value.