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Related Experiment Videos

Block-copolymer micro-emulsion with solvent-induced segregation.

Lise Arleth1, Birgitta Svensson, Kell Mortensen

  • 1Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Department of Natural Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. lia@kvl.dk

Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 7, 2007
PubMed
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This study reveals that adding water to poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) block-copolymers in p-xylene surprisingly forms reverse micelles. The copolymer concentration significantly impacts micelle size, unlike typical surfactant systems.

Area of Science:

  • Polymer Science
  • Colloid and Surface Science
  • Materials Chemistry

Background:

  • Poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) (PEO/PPO) block-copolymers typically dissolve in xylene without aggregation.
  • Addition of water dramatically enhances block segregation, leading to micelle formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate reverse micelle formation of L64 block-copolymer in p-xylene.
  • Quantify the influence of water content and copolymer concentration on micelle structure and behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was employed to study the system.
  • Absolute scale model fitting was used for quantitative analysis of SANS data.

Main Results:

  • Reverse micelles form at a water/EO molar ratio (W0) of approximately 0.2, irrespective of copolymer concentration.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Increasing W0 increases micelle number and decreases unimer concentration, with minimal impact on micelle size.
  • Higher copolymer concentration at fixed W0 significantly reduces micelle size (aggregation number).

    • Conclusions:

    • The system exhibits atypical behavior compared to standard amphiphilic systems and microemulsions.
    • Unusually weak block segregation is proposed as the cause for this unique reverse micellar behavior.