Stars and blocks: Tailoring polymeric rheology modifiers for aqueous media by controlled free radical polymerization

Using Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization as model technique for reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) methods, we explored the synthesis of complex non-ionic amphiphilic water-soluble polymers in general, and of associative telechelics in particular. Via straightforward one-step or two-step RAFT polymerizations, and without any further chemical transformation, various diblock, triblock, star as well as star block (co)polymers were made, and studied with respect to their thickening and gelling behaviors. By systematic structural variations and comparison, structure-property-relationships were derived. Moreover, we conferred thermo-responsiveness (of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type) to the hydrophilic polymer blocks, thus enabling the modulation of the rheological effects by a thermal switch.