Physics – Condensed Matter – Soft Condensed Matter
Scientific paper
2008-01-25
Physics
Condensed Matter
Soft Condensed Matter
11 pages, 12 figures, to appear in Macromolecules
Scientific paper
10.1021/ma702249w
We have studied the phase behavior of the poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer in a mixture of two miscible solvents, water and tetrahydrofuran (THF). The techniques used to examine the different polymers, structures and phases formed in mixed solvents were static and dynamic light scattering, small-angle neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance and fluorescence microscopy. By lowering the water/THF mixing ratio X, the sequence unimers, micron-sized droplets, polymeric micelles was observed. The transition between unimers and the micron-sized droplets occurred at X = 0.75, whereas the microstructuration into core-shell polymeric micelles was effective below X = 0.4. At intermediate mixing ratios, a coexistence between the micron-sized droplets and the polymeric micelles was observed. Combining the different aforementioned techniques, it was concluded that the droplet dispersion resulted from a solvent partitioning that was induced by the hydrophobic blocks. Comparison of poly(n-butyl acrylate) homopolymers and poly(n-butyl acrylate)-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymers suggested that the droplets were rich in THF and concentrated in copolymers and that they were stabilized by the hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) moieties.
Berret Jean-Francois
Chevallier Cedrick
Cristobal Galder
Grillo Isabelle
Joanicot Mathieu
No associations
LandOfFree
Phase Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Block Copolymers in Mixed Solvents does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Phase Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Block Copolymers in Mixed Solvents, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phase Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Block Copolymers in Mixed Solvents will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-111535