Polymers 2017, 9(7), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym9070293
Self-Assembly of Double Hydrophilic Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) Block Copolymers in Aqueous Solution
Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
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Academic Editor: Felix H. Schacher
Received: 23 June 2017 / Revised: 14 July 2017 / Accepted: 16 July 2017 / Published: 20 July 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers and Block Copolymers at Interfaces and Surfaces)
Abstract
The self-assembly of a novel combination of hydrophilic blocks in water is presented, namely poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PEtOx-b-PVP). The completely water-soluble double hydrophilic block copolymer (DHBC) is formed via copper-catalyzed polymer conjugation, whereas the molecular weight of the PVP is varied in order to study the effect of block ratio on the self-assembly process. Studies via dynamic light scattering, static light scattering as well as microscopy techniques, e.g., cryo scanning electron microscopy or laser scanning confocal microscopy, show the formation of spherical particles in an aqueous solution with sizes between 300 and 400 nm. Particles of the DHBCs are formed without the influence of external stimuli. Moreover, the efficiency of self-assembly formation relies significantly on the molar ratio of the utilized blocks. The nature of the formed structures relies further on the concentration, and indications of particular and vesicular structures are found. View Full-TextKeywords:
double hydrophilic block copolymers; self-assembly; polymer interface; water soluble polymers
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Willersinn, J.; Schmidt, B.V. Self-Assembly of Double Hydrophilic Poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)-b-poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) Block Copolymers in Aqueous Solution. Polymers 2017, 9, 293.
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