ABC triblock polyampholytes containing a neutral hydrophobic block, a polyacid and a polybase

Well defined ABC triblock copolymers of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) and polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) were synthesized by sequential living anionic polymerization in tetrahydrofuran. Triblock copolymers with narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained. Hydrolysis of the poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) block yields polystyrene-block-polyvinylpyridine-block-poly(methacrylic acid) which demonstrates pH-dependent solution properties. Interpolymer complexation of the polyvinylpyridine and poly(methacrylic acid) blocks in the micellar solution is studied in dependence of the pH in solution by potent…