Abstract
The morphology of micelles formed by two polystyrene-block-poly(2- vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO) copolymers was studied in water by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Spherical micelles were observed that consist of a PS core, a P2VP shell and a PEO corona. The characteristic size of core, shell and corona depends on the copolymer composition. An important increase in micellar size occurs at pH < 5 as a result of P2VP block protonation. The reversibility of this pH effect depends on copolymer composition, too. The conformation of the PEO block plays an important role in this pH driven morphological transition.
Published Online: 2013-8-31
Published in Print: 2002-12-1
© 2013 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.
