Multicompartment Micelles from ABC Miktoarm Stars in Water

By combining three mutually immiscible polymeric components in a mixed-arm star block terpolymer architecture, we have observed the formation of a previously unknown class of multicompartment micelles in dilute aqueous solution. Connection of water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) and two hydrophobic bu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2004-10, Vol.306 (5693), p.98-101
Main Authors: Li, Zhibo, Kesselman, Ellina, Talmon, Yeshayahu, Hillmyer, Marc A., Lodge, Timothy P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Aqueous solutions
Architecture
Butadienes - chemistry
Chemical Phenomena
Chemistry
Chemistry, Physical
Copolymers
Coronae
Cryoelectron Microscopy
Exact sciences and technology
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Hydroxyls
Macromolecules
Micelles
Molecular Structure
Molecular weight
Monomers
Organic polymers
Oxides
Physicochemistry of polymers
Physiological aspects
Polyethylene Glycols - chemistry
Polyethylenes - chemistry
Polymers
Properties
Properties and characterization
Propylene Glycols - chemistry
Scientific Concepts
Solubility
Solution and gel properties
Water
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Summary:By combining three mutually immiscible polymeric components in a mixed-arm star block terpolymer architecture, we have observed the formation of a previously unknown class of multicompartment micelles in dilute aqueous solution. Connection of water-soluble poly(ethylene oxide) and two hydrophobic but immiscible components (a polymeric hydrocarbon and a perfluorinated polyether) at a common junction leads to molecular frustration when dispersed in aqueous solution. The incompatible hydrophobic blocks form cores that are protected from the water by the poly(ethylene oxide) blocks, but both are forced to make contact with the poly(ethylene oxide) by virtue of the chain architecture. The structures that emerge depend on the relative lengths of the blocks and can be tuned from discrete multicompartment micelles to extended wormlike structures with segmented cores.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1103350