Novel temperature-responsive water-soluble copolymers based on 2-hydroxyethylacrylate and vinyl butyl ether and their interactions with poly(carboxylic acids)

Novel water-soluble amphiphilic copolymers have been synthesized by free radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethylacrylate with vinyl butyl ether. In water these copolymers exhibit lower critical solution temperature, which depends on the content of hydrophobic vinyl butyl ether units. The interaction between these copolymers and poly(acrylic acid) or poly(methacrylic acid) in aqueous solutions results in formation of interpolymer complexes stabilized by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. An increase in hydrophobicity of the copolymers leads to the enhancement of their complex formation ability with respect to poly(acrylic acid) and poly(methacrylic acid). Poly(methacrylic acid) forms stronger complexes with the copolymers when compared with poly(acrylic acid). The complexes exhibit dual sensitivity to pH- and temperature and this property may be easily adjusted regulating the strength of interaction.