Encapsulation of Polypyrrole by Internal Domain Modification of Double-Cylinder-Type Copolymer Brushes

Double-cylinder-type copolymer brushes were synthesized by free-radical polymerization of vinylbenzyl-terminated poly(α-methylstyrene)- block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PMS- block-P2VP) diblock macromonomers. These copolymer brushes formed a single macromolecule even in good solvent due to crowded side chains. To design the encapsulation of conducting polymers, Cu2+ ions (oxidant) were introduced internal P2VP cylindrical domains by complexation based on the pyridine nitrogen interacting with metal ions. Encapsulation of conducting polymers was performed by the oxidation polymerization of double-cylinder-type copolymer brushes complexed with such an oxidizing agent being added to a mixture of pyrrole and water vapor. It was found from light scattering data that the encapsulation materials of polypyrrole (P2VP block 8 mol %) obtained after chemical modifications formed a single macromolecule in good solvent such as benzene.