Starlike micelles with starlike interactions: a quantitative evaluation of structure factors and phase diagram.
Starlike PEP-PEO block copolymer micelles offer the possibility to investigate the phase behavior and interactions of regular star polymers (ultrasoft colloids). Micellar functionality f can be smoothly varied by changing solvent composition (interfacial tension). Structure factors obtained by small-angle neutron-scattering can be quantitatively described in terms of an effective potential for star polymers. The experimental phase diagram reproduces to a high level of accuracy the predicted liquid-solid transition. Whereas for intermediate f a bcc phase is observed, for high f the formation of a fcc phase is preempted by glass formation.
Laurati
M
M
Institut für Festkörperforschung, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany.
Stellbrink
J
J
Lund
R
R
Willner
L
L
Richter
D
D
Zaccarelli
E
E