Surface micelles obtained by selective adsorption of AB and AC diblock copolymers

Abstract

We developed a theory of surface micelles obtained by the selective adsorption of AB and AC diblock copolymers on a plane surface. Corona-forming A blocks are strongly adsorbed on the surface and consist of a monomer thick layer (2D blocks). The B and C blocks aggregate, forming a three-dimensional core of the micelles. We predict the stability of different kinds of micelles including homogeneously mixed B and C blocks in the core; a double compartment core (structures like boiled egg, fried egg and Janus) and pure AB and AC micelles. The kind of micelle depends on the interactions of the blocks with the environment (substrate and air) and each other, on the fraction of AB and AC macromolecules and the composition of the copolymers. Diagrams of the states of the micelles are constructed.