Fusion of Charged Block Copolymer Micelles into Toroid Networks

Abstract

The association behavior of polyelectrolyte block copolymers in aqueous solution as a function of polymer and salt concentration is investigated for poly(ethylethylene-b-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEE-PSSH). This copolymer combines a soft hydrophobic block with a highly charged polyelectrolyte block that allows direct dissolution in aqueous solutions to investigate micellization under equilibrium conditions. Increasing polymer and salt concentration leads to the fusion of polyelectrolyte micelles into vesicles and fractal toroid-micronetworks. Association structures were characterized by static light scattering (SLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). At high salt concentrations the solution phase separates into a dilute micellar phase and a concentrated gel phase.

Neutral and charged polymers at interfaces

“…Theoretically, this can be explained by the entropy cost of counterion confinement in the charged corona [335]. The charged corona can be studied by neutron scattering [336] or atomic-force microscopy [337] and gives information on the behavior of highly curved charged brushes.…”

Conventional Synthesis of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Utilized for Polymeric Micelle by Mechanochemical Solid-State Polymerization

“…Direct dissolution of amphiphilic block copolymer is in most cases impossible, so that dialysis method is used to form polymeric micelles. 28) As direct dissolution of PMG-Te into water was also impossible, polymeric micelles of PMGTe were prepared by dialysis method (see Experimental).…”

Theoretical Approaches to Neutral and Charged Polymer Brushes

“…Theoretically, this can be explained by the entropy cost of counter-ion confinement in the charged corona [97]. The charged corona can be studied by neutron scattering [98] or atomic-force microscopy [99] and gives information on the behavior of highly curved charged brushes.…”