Switching micellization of pluronics in water by CO2

The micellization of amphiphilic molecules is an interesting topic from both theoretical and practical points of view. Herein we have studied the effects of compressed CO(2) on the micellization of Pluronics in water by means of fluorescence, UV/Vis spectra, and small-angle X-ray scattering. It was found that CO(2) can induce the micellization of Pluronics in water, and the micelle can return to the initial state of molecular dispersion after depressurization. Therefore, the micellization of Pluronics in water can be switched through the easy control of pressure. Different from the common micelles with hydrophobic cores, interestingly, this CO(2)-induced micelle has an amphiphilic core, in which hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains coexist. On account of the ability to dissolve both polar and nonpolar components in the micellar core, the CO(2)-induced micelles can improve the reagent compatibilities frequently encountered in various applications. In an attempt to address this advantage, this micelle was utilized as template to the one-step synthesis of Au/silica core-shell composite nanoparticles. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism for the CO(2)-induced micellization of Pluronics in water was investigated by a series of experiments.