Complex micelles from self-assembly of ABA triblock copolymers in B-selective solvents.
We report an extensive simulation study of the self-assembly of amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers dissolved in solvents selective for the middle B-block. The effects of copolymer composition, copolymer concentration, and A-solvent interactions on the morphologies and morphological transitions of the aggregates are examined systematically. The simulations reveal that a rich variety of aggregates, ranging from spherical and rodlike micelles and vesicles to toroidal and net-cage micelles, can be formed spontaneously from a randomly generated initial state. Phase diagrams are constructed and rich morphological transitions are predicted. Chain packing in different micelles is investigated. The simulation results are compared with previous observations or predictions for related copolymer systems.
Kong
Weixin
W
School of Physics and Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
Li
Baohui
B
Jin
Qinghua
Q
Ding
Datong
D
Shi
An-Chang
AC
D003198:Computer Simulation; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*
D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers