Amphiphilic block-random copolymer surfactants with tunable hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance for preparation of non-aqueous dispersions by an emulsion solvent evaporation method

The structural effects of amphiphilic block-random copolymers composed of stearyl methacrylate (SMA) and diethanolamine-modified glycidyl methacrylate (DEAGMA), poly(SMA)-b-poly(DEAGMA-r-SMA)s on their surfactant efficacy for a non-aqueous emulsion solvent evaporation method were investigated. Three series of block-random copolymers (i) with different amounts of DEAGMA in the poly(DEAGMA-r-SMA) segment and (ii, iii) with different chain lengths of each segment were synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. The surfactant efficacies of these copolymers were investigated in terms of the interfacial tension and modulus, size, and stability of the emulsion and dispersion. Suitable comonomer composition and chain lengths of both segments produced stable emulsions and dispersions with small particle sizes (< 200 nm).