@article{HerfurthLaschewskyNoirezetal.2016,
  author    = {Herfurth, Christoph and Laschewsky, Andre and Noirez, Laurence and von Lospichl, Benjamin and Gradzielski, Michael},
  title     = {Thermoresponsive (star) block copolymers from one-pot sequential RAFT polymerizations and their self-assembly in aqueous solution},
  series = {Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers},
  volume    = {107},
  journal   = {Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Oxford},
  issn      = {0032-3861},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.polymer.2016.09.089},
  pages     = {422 -- 433},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {A series of hydrophobically end-capped linear triblock copolymers as well as of three-arm and four-arm star block copolymers was synthesized in a one-pot procedure from N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and N, N-diethylacrylamide (DEA). The sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of these monomers via the R-approach using bi-, tri- and tetrafunctional chain transfer agents (CrAs) bearing hydrophobic dodecyl moieties proceeded in a well-controlled manner up to almost quantitative conversion. Polymers with molar masses up to 150 kDa, narrow molar mass distribution (PDI <= 1.3) and high end group functionality were obtained, which are thermoresponsive in aqueous solution showing a LCST (lower critical solution temperature) transition. The temperature-dependent associative behavior of the polymers was examined using turbidimetry, static and dynamic light scattering (SLS, DLS), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) for structural analysis. At 25 degrees C, the polymers form weak transient networks, and rather small hydrophobic domains are already present for polymer concentrations of 5 wt\%. However, when heating above the LCST transition (35-40 degrees C) of the PDEA blocks, the enhanced formation of hydrophobic domains is observed by means of light and neutron scattering. These domains have a size of about 12-15 nm and must be effectively physically cross-linked as they induce high viscosity for the more concentrated samples. SANS shows that these domains are ordered as evidenced by the appearance of a correlation peak. The copolymer architecture affects in particular the extent of ordering as the four-arm star block copolymer shows much more repulsive interactions compared to the analogous copolymers with a lower number of arms. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MiasnikovaLaschewsky2012,
  author    = {Miasnikova, Anna and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}},
  title     = {Influencing the phase transition temperature of poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate) by molar mass, end groups, and polymer architecture},
  series = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry},
  volume    = {50},
  journal   = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry},
  number    = {16},
  publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {0887-624X},
  doi       = {10.1002/pola.26116},
  pages     = {3313 -- 3323},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {The easily accessible, but virtually overlooked monomer methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate was polymerized by the RAFT method using monofunctional, difunctional, and trifunctional trithiocarbonates to afford thermoresponsive polymers exhibiting lower critical solution temperature-type phase transitions in aqueous solution. The use of the appropriate RAFT agent allowed for the preparation and systematic variation of polymers with defined molar mass, end-groups, and architecture, including amphiphilic diblock, symmetrical triblock, and triarm star-block copolymers, containing polystyrene as permanently hydrophobic constituent. The cloud points (CPs) of the various polymers proved to be sensitive to all varied parameters, namely molar mass, nature, and number of the end-groups, and the architecture, up to relatively high molar masses. Thus, CPs of the polymers can be adjusted within the physiological interesting range of 2040 degrees C. Remarkably, CPs increased with the molar mass, even when hydrophilic end groups were attached to the polymers.},
  language  = {en}
}