Multilamellar Thermoresponsive Emulsions Stabilized with Biocompatible Semicrystalline Block Copolymers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Colloid and Surface Science

Background:

• Amphiphilic block copolymers are crucial for stabilizing interfaces.
• Controlling emulsion properties like curvature and stability is essential for applications.
• Existing methods for emulsion control often lack tunability and responsiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interface-templated crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEO-b-PCL) block copolymers.
• To demonstrate the ability to control oil/water interface curvature and phase inversion.
• To explore the formation of stable multiple emulsions using these block copolymers.

Main Methods:

• Self-assembly of PEO-b-PCL block copolymers at the oil-water interface.
• Formation of anisotropic micelles and their rearrangement into semicrystalline multilamellar shells.
• Tuning of emulsion curvature via molecular architecture (block volume fractions) and temperature.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated specific interface-templated crystallization behavior.
• Achieved triggered shaping of oil/water interface curvature and controlled phase inversion.
• Formed stable multiple emulsions with enhanced barrier properties and tunable stability.
• Observed thermo-induced phase inversion due to changes in PEO solubility and PCL crystallinity.

Conclusions:

• PEO-b-PCL block copolymers form stable, tunable semicrystalline multilamellar shells at oil-water interfaces.
• Molecular architecture and temperature are key triggers for controlling emulsion properties.
• These findings offer novel mechanisms for triggered encapsulation and release systems.