Preparation and self-assembly of poly(diglycidyl maleate-co-stearyl methacrylate)

Poly(diglycidyl maleate-co-stearyl methacrylate) (P(DGMA-co-SMA)) with reactive epoxy groups was synthesized by reaction of poly(maleic anhydride-co-stearyl methacrylate) (P(MA-co-SMA)) and epichlorohydrin. The effect of precipitant on self-assembly behaviors of the resultant copolymer was investigated. It was found that vesicles and nanotubule liked aggregates can be obtained through self-assembly of P(DGMA-co-SMA) in THF solution using CH ₃CH₂OH (EtOH) as precipitant while spheral aggregates can be obtained using H₂O as precipitant. The mechanism of the self-assembly behavior was discussed.