MacroRAFT agents from renewable resources and their use as polymeric scaffolds in a grafting from approach

Amphiphilic graft copolymers, based on renewable resources, were synthesized via a grafting from strategy. First, a linear hydroxyl functionalized aliphatic polyester, the monomer of which was a fatty acid derivative, was synthesized by a stepwise polymerization. Secondly, trithiocarbonate side groups were attached to the prepared polymer. Finally, a grafting from reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization was executed on the macroRAFT agent with the aim to introduce poly(acrylic acid) grafts. The polymers prepared thereof were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In order to show the amphiphilic character of those graft copolymers, micelle formation tests were carried out and measured with dynamic light scattering while emulsifying properties were studied via an emulsion stabilization test.