Mixed micellisation of oxyethylene–oxybutylene diblock and triblock copolymers in water studied by light scattering

Abstract

The mixed micellisation of copolymers E₆₀B₁₂ and E₅₈B₂₀E₅₈ in water was investigated using static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS). As expected, considering the similarity of their E block lengths, the radii of the micelles were constant irrespective of the proportions of the two copolymers in solution. Micelle association numbers, which differed for the two copolymers when micellised singly, depended on the proportions of the two copolymers in solution. This dependence was rationalised by taking account of the triblock copolymer looping in the micelle. The mixed micelles were found to have a harder intermicellar interaction potential than those formed from the single copolymers.