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Journal ArticleDOI

Multiple Morphologies and Characteristics of “Crew-Cut” Micelle-like Aggregates of Polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) Diblock Copolymers in Aqueous Solutions

03 Apr 1996-Journal of the American Chemical Society (American Chemical Society)-Vol. 118, Iss: 13, pp 3168-3181
TL;DR: In this paper, the insoluble block (PS) contents in the copolymers ranged from 80 to 98 wt % and the micelle cores, formed by aggregation of the PS blocks, were generally monodisperse.
Abstract: Crew-cut micelle-like aggregates of various morphologies prepared from polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid), PS-b-PAA, diblock copolymers under near-equilibrium conditions, were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The insoluble block (PS) contents in the copolymers ranged from 80 to 98 wt %. In spherical micelles, the micelle cores, formed by aggregation of the PS blocks, were generally monodisperse. A comparison between star and crew-cut micelles showed that the latter are distinguished by a low density of corona chains on the core surface and a low degree of stretching of the PS blocks in the cores. As the PAA content in block copolymer decreased, the morphology of the aggregates changed progressively from spheres to cylinders, to bilayers (both vesicles and lamellae), and eventually to compound micelles consisting of an assembly of inverted micelles surrounded by a hydrophilic surface. The compound micelles are believed to be a new morphology for block copolymers. The addition of homopolysty...
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present tutorial review introduces the primary principles of BCP self-assembly in bulk and in solution by describing experiments, theories, accessible morphologies and morphological transitions, factors affecting the morphology, thermodynamics and kinetics, among others.
Abstract: Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly has attracted considerable attention for many decades because it can yield ordered structures in a wide range of morphologies, including spheres, cylinders, bicontinuous structures, lamellae, vesicles, and many other complex or hierarchical assemblies. These aggregates provide potential or practical applications in many fields. The present tutorial review introduces the primary principles of BCP self-assembly in bulk and in solution, by describing experiments, theories, accessible morphologies and morphological transitions, factors affecting the morphology, thermodynamics and kinetics, among others. As one specific example at a more advanced level, BCP vesicles (polymersomes) and their potential applications are discussed in some detail.

2,631 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The review concentrates on the use of polymeric micelles as pharmaceutical carriers and the basic mechanisms underlying micelle longevity and steric protection in vivo are considered with a special emphasis on long circulating drug delivery systems.

1,670 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The key performance related properties the authors discuss are loading capacity, release kinetics, circulation time, biodistribution, size, size distribution and stability, to allow the reader to tailor-make block copolymer micelles for a particular application.

1,320 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review attempts to clarify some of the terminology used in the literature by providing an overview of the major features of each type of nanoparticle and the factors that influence the formation of particular nanoparticulate formulations.

1,020 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
23 Jun 1995-Science
TL;DR: A needle-like solid is obtained on drying of aqueous solutions of the spherical micelles of the highly asymmetric polystyrene-poly-(acrylic acid) block copolymers prepared in a low molecular weight solvent system.
Abstract: The observation by transmission electron microscopy of six different stable aggregate morphologies is reported for the same family of highly asymmetric polystyrene-poly-(acrylic acid) block copolymers prepared in a low molecular weight solvent system. Four of the morphologies consist of spheres, rods, lamellae, and vesicles in aqueous solution, whereas the fifth consists of simple reverse micelle-like aggregates. The sixth consists of up to micrometer-size spheres in aqueous solution that have hydrophilic surfaces and are filled with the reverse micelle-like aggregates. In addition, a needle-like solid, which is highly birefringent, is obtained on drying of aqueous solutions of the spherical micelles. This range of morphologies is believed to be unprecedented for a block copolymer system.

2,279 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the concentration du copolymere de la variation des proprietes spectroscopiques du pyrene provoquee par son partage entre les phases micellaires et aqueuses permet de determiner les concentrations of critiques micellaire and les coefficients de partage.
Abstract: L'etude en fonction de la concentration du copolymere de la variation des proprietes spectroscopiques du pyrene provoquee par son partage entre les phases micellaires et aqueuses permet de determiner les concentrations critiques micellaires et les coefficients de partage

1,234 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
22 Sep 1989-Science
TL;DR: Spontaneous, single-walled, equilibrium vesicles can be prepared from aqueous mixtures of simple, commercially available,single-tailed cationic and anionic surfactants.
Abstract: Spontaneous, single-walled, equilibrium vesicles can be prepared from aqueous mixtures of simple, commercially available, single-tailed cationic and anionic surfactants. Vesicle size, surface charge, or permeability can be readily adjusted by varying the ratio of anionic to cationic surfactant. Vesicle formation apparently results from the production of anion-cation surfactant pairs that then act as double-tailed zwitterionic surfactants. These vesicles are quite stable in comparison to conventional vesicles prepared by mechanical disruption of insoluble liquid crystalline dispersions.

1,093 citations

Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: This review brings out the common features of seemingly widely disparate microstructures containing tethered chains, which can be reversible or irreversible and is frequently sufficiently dense that the chains are crowded.
Abstract: Tethered polymer chains refers to macromolecular chains that are attached into microstructures by their ends. Highly branched polymers, polymer micelles and end-grafted chains on surfaces are a few examples. This review brings out the common features of these seemingly widely disparate microstructures. Tethering can be reversible or irreversible and is frequently sufficiently dense that the chains are crowded. Densely tethered chains stretch to alleviate the interactions caused by crowding. They thus exhibit deformed configurations at equilibrium. These effects of tethering on the structure of the polymer chains are reflected in distinctive behavior and properties of microstructures containing tethered chains.

1,034 citations