Highly efficient adsorbent for organic dyes based on a temperature- and pH-responsive multiblock polymer

The self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers in selective solutions has many applications in environmentally responsive polymer materials. In this article, we report on a new amphiphilic, temperature and pH dual-responsive poly[2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate- co -(methyl methacrylate)]- b -poly[poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate] [P(DMAEMA- co -MMA)- b -PPEGMA], which was synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization. The structure, self-assembly behaviors, and process of organic dye adsorption were characterized by 1 H-NMR, ultraviolet–visible absorbance spectroscopy, and DLS measurements. P(DMAEMA- co -MMA)- b -PPEGMA was proven to be an outstanding adsorbent with excellent reversibility. Methyl red was released from the micelles as the pH value of the solution was adjusted to 4, and it could also be encapsulated again when the pH value was adjusted to 7.4 because of the sensitive pH-responsive ability. It is promising that the triblock polymer had a positive effect on dye adsorption for environmental protection. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 46626.