BLOCK-COPOLYMER NANOPARTICLES OF ETHYLENE-OXIDE AND ISOBUTYL CYANOACRYLATE

Di- and triblock copolymers of poly(isobutyl cyanoacrylate) and poly(e thylene oxide) have been prepared and characterized. The synthesis inv olved capping of monohydroxyl- and dihydroxyl-terminated poly(ethylene oxide) with triphenylphosphine, followed by the zwitterionic polymeri zation of isobutyl cyanoacrylate with the triphenylphosphine-terminate d poly(ethylene oxide) macroinitiator to yield the AB- or ABA-type blo ck copolymers. The molecular weight and composition of the resulting b lock copolymers were close to theoretical values. Spherical nanosphere s were prepared from the obtained block copolymers for potential biome dical applications.