title: Mesoscopic simulation studies on micellar phases of Pluronic P103 solution.
abstract: The microphase separation dynamics of the triblock copolymer surfactant P103 [(ethylene oxide)17(propylene oxide)60(ethylene oxide)17] was investigated by a dynamic variant of mean-field density functional theory. Different self-assembled aggregates, spherical micelles, micellar clusters and disk-like micelles, are explored in the solution. The spherical micelle above critical micelle concentration (CMC) is a dense core consisting mainly of PPO and a hydrated PEO swollen corona, and is in good agreement with the experimental results concerning their structures. At a concentration of 10-15%, micellar clusters with a larger PPO core form as a result of coalescence among spherical micelles. At concentrations above 16% by volume, a series of disk-like micelles come into being. The order parameters show that spherical micelles are easily formed, while the micellar clusters or disk-like micelles need a longer time to reach steady equilibrium. The results show that mesoscopic simulation can augment experimental results on amphiphilic polymers, and provide some mesoscopic information at the mesoscale level.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shouhong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xiuqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shiling
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yuan
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D008823:Micelles; D010316:Particle Size; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D012996:Solutions; D020442:Poloxamer