For the first time, double stimuli-responsive properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) and poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVIM) block copolymers in aqueous solutions were studied. The synthesis of PNIPA60-b-PVIM90 and PNIPA28-b-PVIM62-b-PNIPA29 was performed using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The polymers were characterized by size exclusion chromatography and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The conformational behavior of the polymers was studied using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS). It was found that PNIPA and block copolymers conformation and ability for self-assembly in aqueous medium below and above cloud point temperature depend on the locus of hydrophobic groups derived from the RAFT agent within the chain. Additionally, the length of PVIM block, its locus in the chain and charge perform an important role in the stabilization of macromolecular micelles and aggregates below and above cloud point temperature. At 25 °C the average hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of the block copolymer particles at pH 3 is lower than at pH 9 implying the self-assembling of macromolecules in the latter case. Cloud points of PNIPA60-b-PVIM90 are ~43 °C and ~37 °C at a pH of 3 and 9 and of PNIPA28-b-PVIM62-b-PNIPA29 they are ~35 °C and 31 °C at a pH of 3 and 9. Around cloud point independently of pH, the Rh value for triblock copolymer rises sharply, achieves the maximum value, then falls and reaches the constant value, while for diblock copolymer, it steadily grows after reaching cloud point. The information about polarity of microenvironment around polymer obtained by FS accords with DLS data.
Keywords: block copolymers; copolymers; reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization; self-assembly; stimuli-responsive polymers.