Self‐assembly of amphiphilic ABA random triblock copolymers in water. Issue 3 (16th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kozawa, Susan K.; Matsumoto, Kazuma; Suzuki, Ayaka; Sawamoto, Mitsuo; Terashima, Takaya
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 57:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 313
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2018-10-16
• Subjects: amphiphilic random copolymer -- block copolymer -- micelle -- self‐assembly -- thermoresponsive; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.29178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-624X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Self‐assembly of amphiphilic ABA random triblock copolymers in water serves as a novel approach to create unique structure micelles connected with flexible linkages. The ABA triblock copolymers consist of amphiphilic random copolymers bearing hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) and hydrophobic dodecyl pendants as the A segments and a hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the middle B segment. The A block is varied in dodecyl methacrylate content of 20%–50% and degree of polymerization (DP) of 100‐200. By controlling the composition and DP of the A block, various architectures can be tailor‐made as micelles in water: PEO‐linked double core unimer micelles, PEO‐looped unimer or dimer micelles, and multichain micelles. Those PEO‐linked or looped micelles further exhibit thermoresponsive solubility in water. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2019, 57, 313–321 Abstract : ABA triblock copolymers comprising amphiphilic random copolymers as the A segment and hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as the B segment were designed for self‐folding and self‐assembly in water, providing PEO‐connected micelles with unique three‐dimensional architectures and compartments: PEO‐linked double core unimer micelles, PEO‐looped unimer or dimer micelles, and multichain micelles. Those micelles further showed thermoresponsive solubility in water.