Amphiphilic Hyperbranched Polymers: Synthesis and Host-Guest Supermolecular Coloring Application

A novel kind of amphiphilic hyperbranched poly(propargyl quaternary ammomium methacrylate)-co-polymethyl methacrylate (HPPrAM-co-PMMA) is facilely synthesized via a combination of self-condensing vinyl polymerization (SCVP), reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and a highly efficient Menschutkin reaction. With water soluble quaternary ammonium salt moieties and hydrophobic PMMA segments, the amphiphilic HPPrAM-co-PMMA is further employed as the host molecule for anionic dye supermolecular encapsulation. Due to the strong electrostatic interaction and large polar difference between the HPPrAM and PMMA moieties, the AHP exhibits a high loading capability of water soluble dyes (C-dyes) (such as rose bengal, methyl orange, and fluorescein sodium). Furthermore, the AHP-dye complex is used as a coloring additive for common polymers, such as styrene-block-butadiene-block-styrene copolymer (SBS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). A sample colored with the AHP-dye complex shows good dye dispersion, uniformity, and coloring stability.