6533b82cfe1ef96bd128f426

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The influence of hydrophobic substitution on self-association of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(n-alkyl glycidyl carbamate)s-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers in aqueous media

Maria Jamróz-piegzaBarbara TrzebickaPhilip DimitrovAndrzej DworakAndrzej Dworak

subject

chemistry.chemical_classificationHydrodynamic radiusPolymers and PlasticsEthylene oxideOrganic ChemistryOxideMicellechemistry.chemical_compoundchemistryPolymer chemistryAmphiphileMaterials ChemistryCopolymerStatic light scatteringAlkyl

description

Abstract A series of amphiphilic poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(n-alkyl glycidyl carbamate)s-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers were synthesized by reaction between poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polyglycidol-b-poly(ethylene oxide) precursor copolymer and four n-alkyl isocyanates: ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl. After dissolution in water at room temperature the copolymers spontaneously form micelles. The critical micellization concentrations were determined by UV–VIS spectroscopy. The dimensions of the micelles, the aggregation numbers, and in some cases the micellar shape were determined by dynamic and static light scattering in a relatively broad temperature range. Special attention has been paid to the influence of the number of the carbon atoms in the alkyl chains, and respectively, the relative hydrophobicity of the middle block upon the self-association process. Clouding transition was observed for all of the copolymers, the clouding point being dependent upon the length of the alkyl chain.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2007.02.014