Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Solubilization of homopolymers in a solution of diblock copolymers
1Instituto de Física, U.F.R.J., Caixa Postal 68528, 21945-970, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
We study theoretically mixed solutions of homopolymer and diblock copolymer chains. The solvent is a poor solvent for the homopolymers and a selective solvent for the copolymers. We find that the formation of copolymer micelles containing also the insoluble chains allows for an increased solubility of the homopolymers in the solution. In agreement with experiments, we find also that the solubilization power of the micelles, that is, the maximum amount of total homopolymer weight solubilized per unit weight of copolymers in solution, decreases strongly with the homopolymer index of polymerization.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Copolymers
Solubility
A solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of a solvent, the major component, and a solute, the minor component. The physical state of a solution—solid, liquid, or gas—is typically the same as that of the solvent. Solute concentrations are often described with qualitative terms such as dilute (of relatively low concentration) and concentrated (of relatively high concentration).
In a solution, the solute particles (molecules, atoms, and/or ions)...
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers
Solution Formation
This selective solubility...
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which the addition of water breaks down a polymer into its simpler monomer units. For example, peptides break into amino acids, carbohydrates into simple sugars, and DNA into nucleotides. Enzymes often facilitate these processes.
Hydrolysis Reverses Dehydration Synthesis
Complex carbohydrates can be broken down by breaking the bonds between individual sugar units. The reaction breaks a glycosidic bond as water is added to the compound. The...
Entropy and Solvation

