Complex Micelles from Self-Assembly of ABA Triblock Copolymers in B-Selective Solvents

Weixin Kong, Baohui Li*, Qinghua Jin and Datong Ding
School of Physics and Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
An-Chang Shi*
Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4M1, Canada
Langmuir, Article ASAP
DOI: 10.1021/la903292f
Publication Date (Web): November 4, 2009
Copyright © 2009 American Chemical Society
*To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: baohui@nankai.edu.cn; shi@mcmaster.ca.

Abstract

Abstract Image

We report an extensive simulation study of the self-assembly of amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers dissolved in solvents selective for the middle B-block. The effects of copolymer composition, copolymer concentration, and A-solvent interactions on the morphologies and morphological transitions of the aggregates are examined systematically. The simulations reveal that a rich variety of aggregates, ranging from spherical and rodlike micelles and vesicles to toroidal and net-cage micelles, can be formed spontaneously from a randomly generated initial state. Phase diagrams are constructed and rich morphological transitions are predicted. Chain packing in different micelles is investigated. The simulation results are compared with previous observations or predictions for related copolymer systems.

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History

  • Received: September 02, 2009
    Revised: October 22, 2009

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