title: Self-assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) induced by CaCl2: mechanistic study.
abstract: The interaction between CaCl 2 and double hydrophilic block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide) 45- block-poly(acrylic acid) 70, PEO 45- b-PAA 70, was investigated. At a stoichiometric ratio of Ca2+:COO (-) = 0.5, Ca2+ ions were bound to COO (-) groups on PAA segments via electrostatic interaction. Small particles of 4-8 nm in diameter were observed, suggesting the formation of coil-like polymeric globule induced by charge neutralization. At Ca2+:COO (-) >or= 2.5, monodispersed aggregates of average hydrodynamic diameter of 52.0 +/- 7.4 nm were produced. The ISE, ITC, surface tension and fluorescence spectroscopic data confirmed that the formation of these aggregates is not the result of interaction between excess Ca2+ ions and the polymer, but rather it is due to changes in the water activity that triggers the structural rearrangement of Ca2+/PEO 45- b-PAA 70 complex.
authors.affiliation: Singapore-MIT Alliance, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: H Ronny
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Sondjaja
authors.forename: T Alan
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Tam