title: Transforming frozen self-assemblies of amphiphilic block copolymers into dynamic pH-sensitive micelles.
abstract: The self-assembly in water of an amphiphilic P(nBMA(50%) -stat-DMAEMA(50%) )(100)-b-PDMAEMA(235) diblock copolymer based on hydrophilic dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAEMA) units and hydrophobic n-butylmethacrylate (nBMA) ones is reported. DMAEMA units have been incorporated into the hydrophobic block of this copolymer to moderate its hydrophobic character. Light scattering experiments revealed the formation of micelles whose apparent aggregation number varied reversibly with the ionization degree of the DMAEMA units. Incorporating hydrophilic units into the hydrophobic block of an amphiphilic block copolymer is thus a way to generate dynamic aggregates in aqueous medium. As this strategy was also successful using other types of hydrophilic units, we believe it to be universal.
authors.affiliation: PRES LUNAM, Université du Maine, IMMM UMR CNRS 6283, Département PCI, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, 72085 Le Mans Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dutertre
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Boyron
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Charleux
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chassenieux
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Colombani
mesh_terms: D000840:Anisoles / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008027:Light; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D010316:Particle Size; D058105:Polymerization; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000840:Anisoles; D008689:Methacrylates; D008823:Micelles; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D012997:Solvents; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C060998:anisole