Abstract
The coreshellcorona forming ABC triblock copolymer poly(styrene-block-2- vinylpyridine-block-ethylene oxide), PSP2VPPEO, was synthesized using reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization and characterized by NMR and GPC as PS13P2VP62PEO 47. The aggregation behavior in aqueous solution as a function of pH and temperature was studied. Turbidity measurements were used to monitor the effects associated with change in pH. The pH-sensitive P2VP block (insoluble above pH >5) and resultant protonation/deprotonation phenomenon plays decisive role in the aggregation. We found that spherical micelles of considerably low aggregation number form at pH >5. SANS and DLS characterization indicate the micelles' size and spherical shape remained virtually constant in the pH range 1 to 5. The size and shape were further confirmed by cryo-TEM.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1227-1233 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |