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Scaling Theory of Complex Coacervate Core Micelles.

Authors :
Rumyantsev AM
Zhulina EB
Borisov OV
Source :
ACS macro letters [ACS Macro Lett] 2018 Jul 17; Vol. 7 (7), pp. 811-816. Date of Electronic Publication: 2018 Jun 22.
Publication Year :
2018

Abstract

We propose scaling theory of complex coacervate core micelles (C3Ms). Such micelles arise upon electrostatically driven coassembly of bis-hydrophilic ionic/nonionic diblock copolymers with oppositely charged ionic blocks or bis-hydrophilic diblock copolymers with oppositely charged macroions. Structural properties of the C3Ms are studied as a function of the copolymer composition, degree of ionization of the ionic blocks, and ionic strength of the solution. It is demonstrated that at sufficiently large length of the polyelectrolyte blocks the C3Ms may exhibit polymorphism; that is, morphological transitions from spherical to cylindrical micelles and further to lamellar structure or polymersomes may be triggered by increasing salt concentration. A diagram of states of micellar aggregates in the salt concentration/ionization degree coordinates is constructed, and scaling laws for experimentally measurable properties, e.g., micelle aggregation number and core and corona sizes, are found.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2161-1653
Volume :
7
Issue :
7
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
ACS macro letters
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
35650773
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00316