Borinic acid block copolymers: new building blocks for supramolecular assembly and sensory applications

Abstract

Borinic acid block copolymers have been prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and investigated as “smart materials” in sensory applications. Taking advantage of the hydrogen bond donating ability of the borinic acid groups, supramolecular aggregates of PNIPAM-b-PBA were generated by complexation with P4VP. The P4VP complex showed greatly improved fluoride ion detection efficiency relative to the PBA polymer by itself. The block copolymer PS-b-PBA was processed into porous films with tunable pore size by drop-casting from THF in the presence of trace amounts of water. A microporous polymer film that was deposited on an electrode was utilized as a biosensor for acetylthiocholine chloride detection after immobilization of acetylcholine esterase.