Amphiphilic block copolymers: Micellization and solubilization
- Max-Planck-Institut fuer Kolloid- und Grenzflaechenforschung, Teltow (Germany)
Amphiphilic block copolymers exhibit self-assembly properties of low molecular weight surfactants together with the superior material properties of polymers. We investigated the formation of polymeric micelles of a series of Poly(styrene-b-4-vinylpyridine) (PS-P4VP) block copolymers in selective solvents for PS (toluene, THF). The aggregation number exhibits a strong dependence on the degree of polymerization of the core-forming P4VP block, characteristic for micellization in the strong segregation regime. The polarity of the P4VP-block can be further increased by quaternization, N-oxidation, or sulfobetain formation. These micelles readily solubilize inorganic salts like CuCl and Cd(ClO{sub 4}){sub 2}. The latter reacts easily with H{sub 2}S to form small CdS particles in the micellar core exhibiting the quantum-size effect.
- OSTI ID:
- 126832
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950402--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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