Synthesis of methacrylic multi-arm star copolymers by ''arm-first'' group transfer polymerisation

Methacrylic star polymers were synthesized by the ''arm-first'' method of star polymer formation by the addition of difunctional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, to living linear poly(methyl methacrylate) as prepared by group transfer polymerisation (GTP). The effects of living polymer concentration and ratio of difunctional monomer to living polymer are discussed, and show how macromolecular design and control may be imposed on the number of arms and molecular weight of the star polymer. Diluting the difunctional crosslinking monomer with monomer has been examined with the view to establishing funtionalisation of the star core.