EFFECT OF TOPOLOGY ON THE AQUEOUS SOLUTION BEHAVIOR OF AMPHIPHILIC BLOCK AND GRAFT COPOLYMERS OF n-BUTYL ACRYLATE AND ACRYLIC ACID

摘要

Amphiphilic block copolymers with ionizable hydrophilic blocks have structural features of polyelcctrolytcs, microphase-separated copolymers, and surfactants. In dilute aqueous solutions, they self-assemble into micelles consisting of a dense hydrophobic core and an extended charged corona. These micelles are of interest due to their various potential applications as stabilizers, thickening agents, drug carriers etc. For these applications, an understanding of fundamental parameters such as the critical micelle concentration (cmc), the aggregation number, the micellar shape and stability is required.