Controlled emulsion polymerization of styrene and methylmethacrylate in the presence of amphiphilic tertiary amine N-oxides

•Poly(methylmethacrylate-styrene) block copolymers were synthesized by AO-1805.•AO-1805 acted both as a surfactant and a mediator simultaneously.•AO-1805 provides a novel regulation for radicals.

Poly(methylmethacrylate-co-styrene) and poly(methylmethacrylate-styrene) block copolymers were synthesized based on amphiphilic tertiary amine N-oxides (AO-1805, EO = 5) with an ultra high molecular weight (Mn > 1800000, PDI = 1.5), in which AO-1805 acted both as a surfactant and a mediator simultaneously. It was found to tailor the different copolymers varied with monomer feeding way, which AO-1805 provides a better mediated performance. Experimental results from DFT calculations and the time-resolved absorption spectroscopy propose the polymerization mechanism and confirm that AO-1805 provides a novel regulation for radicals.

Graphical abstractSynthesis and the interface of styrene micelle with octadecyldiethoxylated amine N-oxides (AO1805).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide