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Abstract
Formation and structure of micelles from two amphiphilic polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-PEO) diblock copolymers (PS mol.wt. 1000; PEO mol.wt. 3000 and 5000) were examined by surface tension, viscosity, steady state fluorescence, dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the copolymers in aqueous solution was ca. 0.05%; micelle hydrodynamic diameter was 30–35 nm with a narrow size distribution. SANS studies show that the copolymers form ellipsoidal micelles with semi major axis ∼23 nm and semi minor axis ∼8 nm. No significant change in the structure was found with temperature and presence of salt. The copolymer micelles interaction with the ionic surfactants sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) was also examined by DLS and SANS.
Acknowledgments
P. B. thanks the University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi for the grant (Project No. F. 31-145/2005 (SR)) and Prof. G. Riess for the copolymers. Assistance received from Dr. A. Khanal and Dr. P. A. Hassan in the fluorescence and light scattering measurements is gratefully acknowledged. The Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute support in this research is highly acknowledged.