Synthesis and characterization of a novel diblock copolymer with a polyrotoxane block

A novel diblock copolymer with a polyrotaxane block α-cyclodextrins- poly (ε-caprolactone)-b-poly{2,5-bis[(4-methoxypheny)oxycabony]-styrene} (α-CD-PCL-b-PMPCS) was successfully synthesized by combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The diblock copolymer was confirmed by ¹H NMR, GPC and solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic analysis. Its phase structures and phase transitions were investigated by thermogravimetric analyses and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). WAXD and solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopic study confirmed that inclusion complexes domains of the polyrotaxanes assumed a channel-type structure.