Complex coacervate micelles formed by a C18-capped cationic triblock thermoresponsive copolymer interacting with SDS

Abstract

We report on a new route for creating multi-component micelles employing a specifically designed triblock copolymer, C₁₈PEG₁₀-block-NIPAAM₅₄-block-(AMPTMA(+))₁₆, combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments as well as a polyelectrolyte end block. By interaction with an oppositely charged surfactant (SDS), the block copolymer will co-assemble with SDS creating a core–shell particle with the core formed by the alkane chain together with densely packed surfactant micelles that are kept in place by the polyelectrolyte block. In order to maintain a stable particle, the corona of the structure is constructed by bent hydrophilic/neutral segments of the block copolymer. Turbidimetry and zeta-potential measurements were used to elucidate interactions with SDS and to measure the stability of the co-assembled structure, whereas small-angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering were used to identify structural details of these particles.