Synthesis, characterisation and aqueous behaviour of a one-ended perfluorocarbon-modified poly(ethylene glycol)

Establishing structure–properties relationships for an associative polymer requires a precise knowledge of its structure. In previous works, we studied water-soluble telechelic perfluorocarbon (C8F17) derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol)s. They exhibit stronger hydrophobic intermolecular associations than the corresponding hydrocarbon derivatives (C8H17). We now report the synthesis and study of one-ended perfluorocarbon derivative of poly(ethylene glycol). The composition and structure of this polymer were elucidated before analysing its behaviour in aqueous solution by viscosimetry and 19F NMR. The synthesis procedure allows us to reach total grafting. This polymer presents a micellar behaviour above 2×10−4 g/ml and an associative behaviour above 10−3 g/ml.