Homo-polymers and random co-polymers of electroactive and liquid crystalline monomers, namely 3-thienylmethyl methacrylate (MTM) and 6-(4-cyanobiphenyl-4′-oxy)hexyl acrylate (LC6), were prepared by conventional free radical polymerization. Block co-polymers of MTM and LC6 were also synthesized by using the 1,1-diphenylethene (DPE) method. The obtained random and block co-polymers exhibited liquid crystal behavior depending on the content of the LC6 units. It was found that microphase separation of the polymer blocks is an effective means to stabilize the mesophase in the block co-polymers relative to compositionally similar random co-polymers

Amphiphilic copolymers are appealing materials because of their interesting architecture and tunable properties. In view of their application in the biomedical field, the preparation of these materials should avoid the use of toxic compounds as catalysts. Therefore, enzymatic catalysis is a suitable alternative to common synthetic routes. Pentablock copolymers (CUC) were synthesized with high yields by ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) initiated by Pluronic (EPE) and catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase B enzyme. The variables to study the structure–property relationship were EPEs’ molecular weight and molar ratios between ε-CL monomer and EPE macro-initiator (M/In). The obtained copolymers were chemically characterized, the molecular weight determined, and morphologies evaluated. The results suggest an interaction between the reaction time and M/In variables. There was a correlation between the differential scanning calorimetry data with those of X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The length of the central block of CUC copolymers may have an important role in the crystal formation. WAXD analyses indicated that a micro-phase separation takes place in all the prepared copolymers. Preliminary cytotoxicity experiments on the extracts of the polymer confirmed that these materials are nontoxic.

The development of polymer electrolytes is a promising strategy for increasing the safety and performance of lithium batteries. In particular, gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) are closest to replacing conventional liquid electrolytes due to their properties from the incorporation of plasticizers and conductors into polymers. One family of these compounds, ionic liquids (IL), has the ideal range of properties for reducing the risk of fire, leaks, and toxic by‐products. In this work, poly(vinylidene fluoride‐ co ‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) copolymer was used to synthesize a GPE with lithium salt and 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (IL), evaluating the effect of different solvents on the final properties of the material, such as thermal stability, crystallinity, microstructure and conductivity. The addition of IL was responsible for a reduction in the crystallinity of PVDF‐HFP from an average of 31% to 11%, and a diminution in its thermal stability (T _2% ) from 435°C to 350°C. Membrane microstructure was dependent on the solvent used, ranging from completely uniform with acetone to granular with dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide. The dimethylacetamide electrolyte had the highest conductivity (0.43 mS cm ⁻¹ ), while the N‐methylpyrrolidone electrolyte showed better interaction with metallic lithium.