ION-INDUCED MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN CREW-CUT AGGREGATES OF AMPHIPHILIC BLOCK COPOLYMERS

摘要

The addition of ions in micromolar (CaCl2 or HCl) or millimolar (NaCl) concentrations can change the morphology of ''crew-cut'' aggregates of amphiphilic block copolymers in dilute solutions, In addition to spherical, rodlike, and univesicular or lamellar aggregates, an unusual large compound vesicle morphology can be obtained from a single block copolymer. Some features of the spontaneously formed large compound vesicles may make them especially useful as vehicles for delivering drugs and as models of biological cells. Gelation of a dilute spherical micelle solution can also be induced by ions as the result of the formation of a cross-linked ''pearl necklace'' morphology.