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Phase transitions in aqueous triblock copolymers: NMR relaxation studies

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Abstract

Longitudinal NMR relaxation times were used to investigate the thermal transitions occurring in an aqueous triblock copolymer of the poly(oxyethylene)–poly(oxypropylene)–poly(oxyethylene) family. In such a system molecule–micelle and micelle–liquid crystal transitions are observed, depending on temperature and composition. The longitudinal relaxation time, R 1, significantly changes when the aforementioned phase transitions take place. In the case of molecule–micelle equilibrium, changes in R 1 values of the methyl (and methynic) group signal, located in the lipophilic portion of block copolymers, are observed. The effect is ascribed to a significant dehydration of the poly(oxypropylene) chains, as a consequence of micelle formation. Conversely, the thermal transitions from micelles to liquid-crystalline phases are associated with significant changes in the relaxation time of poly(oxyethylene) units. The latter effect is tentatively ascribed to a partial dehydration and/or interdigitation of the poly(oxyethylene) moieties in the block copolymer.

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Acknowledgements

Part of the work presented here is also reported in Ref. [17], in partial fulfilment of the graduate thesis in chemistry of A.I. M.I.U.R. is acknowledged for financial support (funds for years 2002–2004). The present work was performed under auspices of COST P 15 Project on Interfacial Chemistry and Catalysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza "; P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 , Rome, Italy

    Alessandro lovino & Camillo La Mesa

  2. Istituto di Chimica Nucleare, CNR, Area della Ricerca di Roma, CP 20, 00016 , Monterotondo Stazione, Rome, Italy

    Donatella Capitani & Anna Laura Segre

Authors
  1. Alessandro lovino
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  2. Camillo La Mesa
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  3. Donatella Capitani
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  4. Anna Laura Segre
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Correspondence to Camillo La Mesa.

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lovino, A., La Mesa, C., Capitani, D. et al. Phase transitions in aqueous triblock copolymers: NMR relaxation studies. Colloid Polym Sci 281, 1136–1141 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-003-0888-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-003-0888-z

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