Bio-Based Amphiphilic Farnesyl Glycidyl Ether Block Copolymers: Aqueous Self-Assembly and Solubilization Boosting

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• The need for sustainable alternatives to fossil-based resources is critical.
• Bio-renewable surfactants are essential for reducing ecological and economic impacts.
• Enhancing surfactant efficiency is key to sustainable practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel amphiphilic diblock copolymers from bio-renewable terpenyl glycidyl ethers.
• To investigate the self-assembly behavior and micelle formation of these copolymers.
• To evaluate the impact of these copolymers on microemulsion properties and their potential in sustainable formulations.

Main Methods:

• Anionic ring-opening polymerization of terpenyl glycidyl ethers (TGE) using a poly(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether (mPEG) macroinitiator.
• Characterization of copolymer molecular weights and dispersities using GPC.
• Determination of critical micelle concentrations (CMCs) via fluorescence spectroscopy and light scattering.
• Evaluation of microemulsion properties and structural changes using small-angle neutron scattering (SANS).

Main Results:

• Controlled synthesis of mPEG-b-PTGE diblock copolymers with low dispersities.
• Low CMCs observed, decreasing with increasing TGE block size due to hydrophobic effects.
• Significant enhancement of solubilization efficiency in both conventional and sustainable microemulsion systems.
• Adsorption of copolymers increased structural order in bicontinuous microemulsions by enhancing film bending rigidity.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized bio-based diblock copolymers exhibit efficient self-assembly and enhance microemulsion performance.
• These copolymers show promise as sustainable surfactants, particularly in cosmetic applications.
• The study demonstrates a pathway to developing high-performance, eco-friendly interfacial materials.