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Updated: May 14, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Multicompartmental hollow micelles formed by linear ABC triblock copolymers in aqueous medium
Shaoliang Lin1, Wenjie Zhu, Xiaohua He
1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
Abstract:
Self-assembly behavior of an ABC triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-b-PS-b-PCL), in aqueous media is presented. The formed micelle structures were analyzed by using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser light scattering. Various fascinating multicompartmental aggregates, including multilamellar vesicles, cylinder-containing vesicles, entrapped vesicles, and porous large compound micelles, were prepared from four copolymers with various block lengths of PEG and PS. The phase separation of hydrophobic PS and PCL blocks, as well as the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, plays a crucial role on the self-assembly behaviors. The mechanism regarding the formation of these fascinating aggregates is also suggested.
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