Synthesis and characterization of (star po1ystyrene)-block- (linear polydimethylsi1oxane)-block-(star polystyrene) triblock copolymers

Summary (Star po1ystyrene)-block-(linear polydimethy1siloxane)-block-(Star polystyrene) triblock copolymers were synthesized by making living Star-shaped polystyrenes through a convergent living anionic polymerization procedure, followed by ring-opening polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D₃) then difunctional coupling. The molecular weights of the resulting polymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Triblock copolymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distributions were obtained. Received: 22 April 2002/ Revised version: 15 August 2002/ Accepted: 16 August 2002 Correspondence to Daniel M. Knauss Email: dknauss@mines.edu, Fax: (303) 273 3629