For a solution of the diblock copolymer composed of a hydrophobic block and a weak polyelectrolyte block, we obtain regions of stable aggregate morphologies in pH-solution salinity plane with the aid of the self-consistent field theory in the strong-segregation approximation. Lamellar, cylindrical, branched cylindrical, and spherical aggregates have been considered in the large interval of pH and salinity. The morphology stability maps are obtained to help control self-assembly of aggregates by variation of pH and salinity of the medium. In qualitative agreement with experiment, our calculations predict the coexistence of long wormlike micelles with branched and spherical micelles in transition zones. We compare the results of our calculations with available computer simulation and experimental data on micelles and brushes (planar and curved) formed by a diblock copolymer with one polyelectrolyte block. We show that for both weak and strong polyelectrolytes the agreement between the theory and experiment is satisfactory in most systems.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp100987h | DOI Listing |
Polymers (Basel)
December 2024
School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Nanchang University, 999 Xuefu Avenue, Nanchang 330031, China.
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) as a kind of important functional material are widely used in fuel cells. However, synthetic AEMs generally suffer from low conductivity, poor alkaline stability, and poor dimensional stability. Constructing efficient ion transport channels is widely regarded as one of the most effective strategies for developing AEMs with high conductivity and low swelling ratio.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
Langmuir
January 2025
Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo, Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo 671-2201, Japan.
To prepare amphiphilic diblock copolymers (MP), a controlled radical polymerization approach was employed, incorporating hydrophilic poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) with hydrophobic poly(3-methoxypropyl acrylate) (PMPA). The synthesized diblock copolymers feature a PMPC block with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 100 and a PMPA block with DP (=) values of 171 and 552. The hydrophilic PMPC block exhibits biocompatibility, such as inhibition of platelet and protein adsorption, because of its hydrophilic pendant zwitterionic phosphorylcholine groups that have the same chemical structure as cell membrane surfaces.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Macro Lett
January 2025
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
Poly(lactide) (PLA) is a promising biodegradable polymer with potential applications in single-use packaging. However, its use is limited by brittleness, and its biodegradability is restricted to industrial compost conditions due in part to an elevated glass transition temperature (). We previously showed that addition of a poly(ethylene-oxide)--poly(butylene oxide) diblock copolymer (PEO-PBO) forms macrophase-separated rubbery domains in PLA that can impart significant toughness at only 5 wt %.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAngew Chem Int Ed Engl
December 2024
ETH Zurich, Materials, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093, Zürich, SWITZERLAND.
Photoiniferter (PI) is a promising polymerization methodology, often used to overcome restrictions posed by thermal reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization. However, in the overwhelming majority of reports, high energy UV irradiation is required to effectively trigger photolysis of RAFT agents and facilitate the polymerization, significantly limiting its potential, scope, and applicability. Although visible light PI has emerged as a highly attractive alternative, most current approaches are limited to the synthesis of lower molecular weight polymers, and typically suffer from prolonged reaction times, extended induction periods, and higher dispersities.
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