Copolymers of 2-hydroxyethylacrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate by nitroxide mediated polymerization: kinetics, SEC-ESI-MS analysis and thermoresponsive properties

The nitroxide mediated copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) is reported. The copolymerization kinetics followed the persistent radical model and revealed the formation of well-defined ideal random copolymers (r(HEA) = 0.93 +/- 0.09; r(MEA) = 0.95 +/- 0.09). SEC-ESI-MS proved the presence of both the initiation fragment and SG1 as chain ends of the polymers. The cloud point temperature of the copolymers increased from 5 degrees C and 60 degrees C with increasing HEA content from 0% to 70% and they are discussed in relation to both monomer and end-group structure.The nitroxide mediated copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) is reported. The copolymerization kinetics followed the persistent radical model and revealed the formation of well-defined ideal random copolymers (r(HEA) = 0.93 +/- 0.09; r(MEA) = 0.95 +/- 0.09). SEC-ESI-MS proved the presence of both the initiation fragment and SG1 as chain ends of the polymers. The cloud point temperature of the copolymers increased from 5 degrees C and 60 degrees C with increasing HEA content from 0% to 70% and they are discussed in relation to both monomer and end-group structure.A