Self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic C₆₀-end-capped poly(vinyl ether)s in water and dissociation of the aggregates by the complexing of the C₆₀ moieties with externally added γ-cyclodextrins

Langmuir. 2015 Mar 3;31(8):2256-61. doi: 10.1021/la504341s. Epub 2015 Feb 16.

Abstract

C60-end-capped polymers consisting of an amphiphilic poly(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether) (PMOVE) main chain were synthesized by living cationic polymerization using a C60-functionalized initiator (C60VE-TFA) in the presence of EtAlCl2 as an activator and dioxane as an added base. The obtained polymers (C60-PMOVE) dissolved in a wide range of solvents including water and exhibited solvatochromism depending on the polarity of the media employed. This phenomenon was attributed to self-assembly in polar media due to hydrophobicity of the C60 moieties at the terminus of the amphiphilic polymer chain. Furthermore, the addition of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD), a strong host molecule for fullerenes, to the self-assembled system brought about the dissociation of the aggregates into molecularly dispersed free polymer chains. Titration of the aqueous solution of the self-assembly of C60-PMOVE with γ-CD indicated the possible formation of inclusion complexes of C60-PMOVE and γ-CD, and this binding process occurs in a positive cooperative manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • Vinyl Compounds / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Vinyl Compounds
  • gamma-Cyclodextrins
  • poly(2-methoxyethyl vinyl ether)
  • Water
  • fullerene C60