Block Copolymer Micelles in Aqueous Media

Abstract

Micellization of di- and triblock copolymers, poly(methacrylic acid)-block-polystyrene and poly(methacrylic acid)-block-polystyrene-block-poly(methacrylic acid), varying in molecular weight and composition, has been studied by static and dynamic light scattering, and sedimentation velocity. Micelles with polystyrene cores were prepared in water-dioxane mixtures, rich in dioxane, and transferred into water-rich mixtures, water, and aqueous buffers via stepwise dialysis. It has been shown that, in dioxane-rich mixtures, the micellar system was in dynamic equilibrium, while in water-rich solvents, water, and aqueous buffers the micellization equilibrium was frozen and micelles behaved like autonomus particles. Under certain conditions, micelles were accompanied by independent large particles. This phenomenon, known from other micellar systems as an "anomalous micellization", is discussed.