Patent ID: 8802785

Claim:
A process for preparing a block copolymer by a sequentially implemented atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), comprising: adding a monofunctional initiator to a polymerization solution in two batches, to obtain a block copolymer of composition AB, having an overall molecular weight distribution with a polydispersity index of greater than 1.8, wherein prior to addition of a first initiator batch of said two batches to said polymerization solution, said polymerization solution comprises a monomer mixture A, after a second initiator batch of said two batches is added to said polymerization solution, a monomer mixture B is added to said polymerization solution, block A is a copolymer having a bimodal molecular weight distribution with a polydispersity index of greater than 1.8 comprising, in reacted form, at least one (meth)acrylate, block B is a copolymer having a monomodal molecular weight distribution with a polydispersity index of less than 1.6 comprising, in reacted form, at least one (meth)acrylate, and the block copolymer of composition AB has an overall polydispersity index of greater than 1.8.