title: Dependence of aggregation behavior on concentration in triblock copolymer solutions: The effect of chain architecture.
abstract: Using the self-consistent field lattice technique, the effects of concentration and hydrophobic middle block length (where the chain length remains constant) on aggregation behavior are studied in amphiphilic symmetric triblock copolymer solutions. The heat capacity peak for the unimer-micelle transition and the distribution peaks for the different degrees of aggregation for micelles and small aggregates (submicelles) are calculated. Analysis of the conducted computer simulations shows that the transition broadness dependence on concentration is determined by the hydrophobic middle block length, and this dependence is distinctly different when the length of the hydrophobic middle block changes. Different size for small aggregates simultaneously appear in the transition region. As temperature decreases, the number of different size small aggregates for the large hydrophobic middle block length first ascends and then descends in aggregation degree order. These results indicate that any transition broadness change with concentration is related to the mechanism of fragmentation and fusion. These results are helpful for interpreting the aggregation process of amphiphilic copolymers at equilibrium.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources School of Mathematics, Physics and Biological Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Gang
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Integrated Exploitation of Bayan Obo Multi-Metal Resources School of Mathematics, Physics and Biological Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Zhang