Amphiphilic Polyethers of Controlled Chain Architecture

2003

The amphiphilic polymers, polymers which contain in their macromolecules both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units1, are the base for valuable materials due to their diversified interaction with liquids. So they may act as emulsifiers, compatibilizers, “smart” materials (responding to external stimuli)2 and many others. In order to control their properties, the hydrophilic — hydrophobic balance in the macromolecules has to be controlled. This balance depends not only upon the constitution of the chain repeating units, but also upon the art of their distribution in the chains (copolymers of controlled unit sequences), the chain topology, the size of the chains and many others. So a careful engi…