MICELLE FORMATION OF DIBLOCK POLYSTYRENE-POLY(2-VINYLPYRIDINE) AND TRIBLOCK POLY(2-VINYLPYRIDINE)-POLYSTYRENE-POLY(2-VINYLPYRIDINE) COPOLYMERS IN A SINGLE SOLVENT.

Abstract

This study synthesized two diblock polystyrene-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-P//2VP) copolymers (60K-60K and 60K-5K) and a series of triblock P//2VP-PS-P//2VP copolymers by anionic polymerization. The paper describes the behaviour of the unquaternized diblock and triblock copolymers in a single solvent. By comparing the diblock and triblock copolymers in toluene, it was found that micelle formation is governed not only by the properties of the blocks and the block lengths but also by the geometric arrangement of the blocks: the diblock copolymer form micelles in toluene readily and have low critical micelle concentration values but the triblocks do not form micelles up to 2. 5% concentration by weight in toluene.