Anionic synthesis and characterization of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-poly(dimethylsiloxane) block copolymers

Poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐b‐Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (P4VP‐b‐PDMS) copolymers have been synthesized by sequential anionic polymerization of 4VP and hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane at — 70°C. The initiator was sodium naphthenate. The solvent used during reactions has a very critical role in an homogeneous polymerization medium. A 1:1 pyridine/THF mixture was found to be the most suitable. The products were characterized by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. All the results indicated the formation of 4‐vinylpyridine‐siloxane block copolymers. Also, the P4VP blocks can be completely quaternized with methyl iodide as indicated by 1H‐NMR and FTIR spectroscopies.