Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules

Details Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules

1999-06-17

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9906271v2

Macromolecules 33, 8050 (2000)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

21 pages, 5 figures, RevTex, the published version, see also cond-mat/9903050

Scientific paper

10.1021/ma991021k

The interaction between a flexible polymer in good solvent and smaller associating solute molecules such as amphiphiles (surfactants) is considered theoretically. Attractive correlations, induced in the polymer because of the interaction, compete with intra-chain repulsion and eventually drive a joint self-assembly of the two species, accompanied by partial collapse of the chain. Results of the analysis are found to be in good agreement with experiments on the onset of self-assembly in diverse polymer-surfactant systems. The threshold concentration for self-assembly in the mixed system (critical aggregation concentration, cac) is always lower than the one in the polymer-free solution (critical micelle concentration, cmc). Several self-assembly regimes are distinguished, depending on the effective interaction between the two species. For strong interaction, corresponding experimentally to oppositely charged species, the cac is much lower than the cmc. It increases with ionic strength and depends only weakly on polymer charge. For weak interaction, the cac is lower but comparable to the cmc, and the two are roughly proportional over a wide range of cmc values. Association of small molecules with amphiphilic polymers exhibiting intra-chain aggregation (polysoaps) is gradual, having no sharp onset.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules 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 Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-Assembly in Mixtures of Polymers and Small Associating Molecules will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-620092