Nanostructured heteroarm star block terpolymers via an extension of the "in-out" polymerization route.

In this communication an extended "in-out" polymerization method is presented, which leads to the synthesis of novel heteroarm star block terpolymers of the type A(n)(B-b-C)(n). A four step/one-pot synthetic procedure is pursued using anionic polymerization under an inert atmosphere. The resulted star-shaped terpolymer consists of a divinyl benzene nodule bearing pure polystyrene and poly(hexyl methacrylate)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymer arms. It is shown that this kind of star terpolymers can self-assemble in the bulk forming lamellae mesophase by arm and block segregation. The mechanical properties of the terpolymer have been examined in detail. Finally, the proposed synthetic procedure can be easily employed in other controlled polymerization methods.