SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLY(OXYETHYLENE)-POLY(CAPROLACTONE) MULTIBLOCK COPOLYMERS

Novel poly(oxyethylene)/poly(caprolactone) POE/PCL copolymers were syn thesized by step growth polymerization of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) d iols and poly(ethylene glycol) diacids using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide as coupling agent. The reaction was performed at room temperature and yielded multiblock copolymers with predetermined POE and PCL block len gths. The resulting copolymers were characterized by various analytica l techniques including SEC, IR, H-1 NMR, DSC and X-ray diffractometry. Data showed that the properties of these polymers can be modulated by adjusting the chain lengths of the macromonomers. In particular, one or two crystalline structures can exist within the copolymers of vario us crystallinities. (C) 1998 SCI.