Effect of Molecular Architecture and Composition on the Aggregation Pathways of POEGMA Random Copolymers in Water

Understanding of the temperature-induced phase transition of poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA) random copolymers with varied composition remains largely incomplete. Upon heating they can form either macroscopically phase-separated aggregates or micelles. We examined the effect of polymer architecture by rationally designing and synthesizing various POEGMA copolymer structures via atom transfer radical polymerization using OEGMA monomers of different EO lengths. Micelle formation occurred for copolymers with a small fraction of long side chains counterbalanced by an appropriate number of short side chains, while macroscopic phase separation occurred for other copolymer compositions. In some copolymer compositions and architectures, micelle formation followed by macroscopic phase separation occurred, and the temperature of these phase transitions could be tailored accordingly. This new strategy allows the control over the microstructure and specific transition temperatures enabling, for instance, the preparation of nanocarriers for encapsulating hydrophobic compounds.