Solubilization of Hydrophobic Substances into Block Copolymer Micelles in AqueousMedia and their Release

摘要

The objective of this research project was the study of properties of polymermicelles that control the uptake or release of hydrophobic species from aqueous solution. Fluorescence techniques were used to monitor the rate of equilibration of small molecule fluorophores with respect to the micelle interior. An additional goal was to characterize how the properties of the polymer influence the final micelle properties (e.g. aggregation number, hydrodynamic diameter, radius of gyration, eta.). The conditions that permit exchange of individual polymers between micelles have also been determined. Most of our work has involved polymer micelles with polystyrene cores and poly(methylmethacrylate) or poly(t-butylmethacrylate) coronas in organic solvents and poly(methacrylic acid) coronas in aqueous solution. Block Polymer micelles, Solubilization of hydrophobic release of hydrophobic species.