Back to Search
Start Over
A Valid Way of Quasi-Quantificationally Controlling the Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers in Confined Space
- Source :
- Langmuir. 25:2757-2764
- Publication Year :
- 2009
- Publisher :
- American Chemical Society (ACS), 2009.
-
Abstract
- To mimic nanostructures assembled by biomolecules in organic cells and achieve precise self-assembly of block copolymers, a simple but valid way is introduced to quasi-quantificationally control the aggregation numbers (N(agg)) of polymeric micelles. A three-dimensional and closed microconfinement similar to a cell is constructed by W/O inverse emulsion as the spot for self-assembly of the pH-responsive block copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PEG-b-P4VP). The N(agg) values of the resulting polymeric micelles are effectively controlled by tuning the number of polymer chains encapsulated in isolated water pools. Micelles with different N(agg) values are successfully prepared and characterized by atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering. When the number of polymer chains enclosed in a water pool (N(chain)) is less than the average N(agg) of normal micelles generated in bulk aqueous solution, the resultant aggregates formed in the confined spaces always have lower N(agg) as well as smaller sizes than the normal micelles do, while normal micelles predominantly form when N(chain)N(agg) (normal micelle).
- Subjects :
- Light
Polymers
Pyridines
Surface Properties
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Micelle
chemistry.chemical_compound
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Dynamic light scattering
Polymer chemistry
Electrochemistry
Copolymer
Nanotechnology
Scattering, Radiation
General Materials Science
Confined space
Micelles
Spectroscopy
chemistry.chemical_classification
Drug Carriers
Microscopy, Confocal
Aqueous solution
Lasers
Surfaces and Interfaces
Polymer
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Condensed Matter Physics
Nanostructures
chemistry
Chemical engineering
Methacrylates
Emulsions
Self-assembly
Ethylene glycol
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15205827 and 07437463
- Volume :
- 25
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Langmuir
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....bd7a02b58f0ee1b5672cc6eb94d12c88