Shao Qiong Liu, Richie Tay, et al.
Soft Matter
The closed assembly transition from polymers to micelles and open assembly to clusters are induced by supramolecular π-π stacking in model oligocarbonate-fluorene (F-TMC) end-group telechelic polymers. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) depends on the F-TMC degree of polymerization that further controls the weak micelle association and strong clustering of micelles regimes. Clustering follows a multistep equilibria model with average size scaling with concentration reduced by the CMC as R ∼ (c/CMC)1/4. The F-TMC packing that drives the supramolecular self-assembly from polymers to micelles stabilizes these larger clusters. The clusters are characterized by internal relaxations by dynamic light scattering. This signifies that while F-TMC groups drive the clustering, the micelles interconnected via F-TMC bridging interactions remain coupled to the extent that the clusters relax via Rouse-Zimm dynamics, reminiscent of microgels.
Shao Qiong Liu, Richie Tay, et al.
Soft Matter
Amanda C. Engler, Nikken Wiradharma, et al.
Nano Today
Daniel J. Coady, Zhan Yuin Ong, et al.
Advanced Healthcare Materials
Junchi Cheng, Willy Chin, et al.
Advanced Healthcare Materials