Abstract: The invention provides non-crosslinked and crosslinked block copolymers comprising at least one block A comprising repeating units derived from monomers comprising one or more C1-C3 alkyl (meth)acrylamides and/or (meth)acrylates and at least one block B comprising repeating units derived from monomers comprising one or more C4-C40 alkyl (meth)acrylamides. The invention further provides compositions comprising the block copolymers and applications thereof in various industrial areas including personal care. The invention furthermore provides compositions comprising colloidal particles of the block copolymers. The variables x, y, R1, and R2 are described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for removal of a thio-based end group from a polymer comprising repeating units derived from at least one monomer comprising at least one acryloyl moiety and at least one functionalized or unfunctionalized lactam moiety by subjecting the polymer to radiation in a reaction medium devoid of any chemical reagent. Exemplary process involves removal of thio-based end groups from polymers prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of at least one monomer comprising at least one acryloyl moiety and at least one functionalized or unfunctionalized lactam moiety by exposing the polymer to visible radiation in a reaction medium devoid of any chemical reagent.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparation of homopolymers and non-homopolymers comprising polymerizing in an aqueous medium a monomer comprising at least one acryloyl moiety and at least one functionalized or unfunctionalized lactam moiety, and optionally at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic comonomer, in the presence of at least one chain transfer agent and at least one non-radiation initiator. Exemplary diblock polymers prepared by the method have the structure: where subscripts x, y, and z and variables R, R8, R9 and R10 are described herein.