Preparation and properties of semifluorinated block copolymers of 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate and fluorooctyl methacrylates

Semifluorinated block copolymers of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) and poly(fluorooctyl methacrylates) (PFOMA) were prepared using group transfer polymerisation via sequential monomer addition. Wide ranges of copolymers were obtained with good control over both molecular weight and composition by adjusting the monomers/initiator ratio. The micellar characteristics of the copolymers in water and chloroform were investigated by quasi-elastic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The size and morphologies of micelles were greatly influenced by copolymer composition, pH, and temperature. In addition, the solubility of copolymers and the formation of water-in-carbon dioxide (W/C) microemulsions were described in terms of the cloud points. The block copolymers exhibited the excellent ability of stabilizing W/C microemulsions. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.