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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
Decoding the Conformation of Polylactic Acid in Block Copolymer Micelles
J Muñoz-López1,2, G M Tuveri1,3, V Barbieri1
1Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Baldiri Reixac 10, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
Understanding how molecular features dictate the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers into well-defined nanostructures is essential for the rational design of advanced soft materials. However, the large number of interdependent parameters involved, such as particle size, aggregation number, interfacial curvature, and molecular weight, makes it challenging to establish general design principles. Here we establish a scaling-based framework for PEG-b-PLA micelles with a fixed hydrophilic-hydrophobic ratio. Systematic variation of molecular weights enables precise control of micelle size and aggregation number, quantified by DLS, cryo-TEM, and MALS.
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