Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers prepared by novel rare earth complex: Synthesis and crystallization properties

Amphiphilic biodegradable poly(CL-b-PEG-b-CL) triblock copolymers have been successfully prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (CL) employing yttrium tris(2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenolate) [Y(DBMP)3] as catalyst and double-hydroxyl capped PEGs (DHPEG) as macro-initiator. The triblock architecture, molecular weight, thermal and crystallization properties of the copolymers were characterized by NMR spectra, SEC, DSC and WAXD analyses. The isothermal crystallization behavior of the copolymers was investigated by POM analysis in detail, which is greatly influenced by the length of PCL and PEG blocks. On the POM micrograph of PEG10,000–(PCL8600)2, a unique morphology of concentric spherulites was observed due to the sequent crystallization of the PCL and PEG blocks.