Double-polyelectrolyte, like-charged amphiphilic diblock copolymers: swollen structures and pH- and salt-dependent lyotropic behavior.

We consider a symmetrical poly(styrene- stat-(acrylic acid))- block-poly(acrylic acid), i.e., PSAA- b-PAA, diblock copolymer, with a molar fraction phi AA = 0.

Interactions between sulfobetaine-based polyzwitterions and polyelectrolytes.

We investigate the interactions between sulfobetaine-based polyzwitterions and polyelectrolytes, either positive or negative ones, i.e., poly(DADMAC)s and poly(AA)s.

A novel elastomer/liquid crystal polymer nanocomposite created in situ from controlled radical graft-polymerization.

We present the original design and properties of a novel, all-polymer hierarchical composite comprising an elastomer and a fluorinated liquid crystal polymer. The material follows from the phase separation between the two highly incompatible components, occuring in situ during the controlled radical graft-polymerization of the liquid crystal monomer onto functionalized elastomeric chains. We demonstrate that the composite remarkably combines the mechanical properties, static and dynamic, of both an elastomer and a semi-crystalline polymer.

Reconciling low- and high-salt solution behavior of sulfobetaine polyzwitterions.

We investigate the water-solubility upon salt additions, of homogeneous families of sulfobetaine-based polyzwitterions. These polymers bear both positive ammonium, and negative sulfonate charges on each monomer and as a result present an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in the 0-100 degrees C temperature range. Two chemistries are investigated, with either a carboxylate-carrying function (SPE) or an amido-carrying one (SPP).

Chemically tuned amphiphilic diblock copolymers dispersed in water: from colloids to soluble macromolecules.

We investigate by small-angle scattering the structural behavior in water of a family of asymmetric poly(styrene-stat-(acrylic acid))-block-poly(acrylic acid), i.e., P(S-stat-AA)-b-PAA, diblock copolymers.