ISSN:
1434-6036
Keywords:
PACS. 61.25.Hq Macromolecular and polymer solutions; polymer melts; swelling - 83.70.Hq Heterogeneous liquids: suspensions, dispersions, emulsions, pastes, slurries, foams, block copolymers, etc. - 61.20.Qg Structure of associated liquids: electrolytes, molten salts, etc.
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract: Aqueous micellar solutions of ionic/neutral block copolymers have been studied by light scattering, small angle neutron scattering and small angle X-ray scattering. We made use of a polymer comprised of a short hydrophobic block (polyethylene-propylene) PEP and of a long polyelectrolytic block (polystyrene-sulfonate) PSSNa which has been shown previously to micellize in water. The apparent polydispersity of these micelles is studied in detail, showing the existence of a few large aggregates coexisting with the population of micelles. Solutions of micelles are found to order above some threshold in polymer concentration. The order is liquid-like, as demonstrated by the evolution with concentration of the peak observed in the structure factor ( ), and the degree of order is found to be identical over a large range of concentrations (up to 20 wt%). Consistent values of the aggregation number of the micelles are found by independent methods. The effect of salt addition on the order is found to be weak.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100510050154
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