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Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
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Temperature-Induced Re-Entrant Morphological Transitions in Block-Copolymer Micelles
Artem M Rumyantsev1,2, Frans A M Leermakers3, Ekaterina B Zhulina4
1Institut des Sciences Analytiques et de Physico-Chimie pour l'Environnement et les Matériaux, UMR 5254 CNRS UPPA , Pau 64053 , France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 6, 2019
Summary
Re-entrant morphological transitions in diblock copolymers are predicted due to temperature-dependent solubility. This occurs because of differing rates in core domain density and interfacial energy changes with temperature.
Area of Science:
- Polymer science
- Materials science
- Theoretical chemistry
Background:
- Diblock copolymers self-assemble into various nanostructures.
- Morphological transitions in block copolymers are sensitive to environmental conditions like temperature.
- Understanding these transitions is crucial for designing advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To theoretically predict and explain re-entrant morphological transitions in diblock copolymer nanostructures.
- To investigate the role of temperature-mediated solubility in these transitions.
- To provide a theoretical framework supported by experimental observations.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a mean-field theoretical method.
- Employing the numerical Scheutjens-Fleer self-consistent field approach.
- Analyzing the temperature dependence of collapsed core domain density and interfacial energy.
Main Results:
- Predicted the possibility of re-entrant morphological transitions in diblock copolymers.
- Explained the phenomenon by differential rates of change in core density and interfacial energy with temperature.
- Theoretical predictions align with experimental observations of reversed morphological transition sequences.
Conclusions:
- Re-entrant morphological transitions in diblock copolymers are feasible and driven by temperature-induced solubility changes.
- The theoretical model successfully explains the observed reversed sequences of morphological transitions.
- This work offers insights into the design and control of block copolymer nanostructures for specific applications.
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