SOLUTION BEHAVIOR AND SELF-ASSEMBLY OF COMPLEXES FROM THYLSTYRENE)-BLOCK-POLY(N-ETHYL-4-VINYLPYRIDINIUM) CATIONS AND AEROSOL OT ANIONS

The solution behavior of stoichiometric complexes from ethylstyrene)-b lock-poly(N-ethyl-4-vinypyridinium) cations (PMeS-b-PE4VP) and bis(2-e thylhexyl)sulfonsuccinate (AOT) anions in a variety of organic solvent s with low polarity is characterized. These complexes as well as the s toichiometric complexes between homopolymer poly(N-ethyl-4-vinypyridin ium) cations (PE4VP) and AOT were soluble in most common organic solve nts except aliphatic hydrocarbons. Both PMeS-b-PE4VP- and PE4VP-based complexes dissolve in hexane in the presence of small amounts of mixed methanol-ethyl ether cosolvent. The PMeS-b-PE4VP/AOT complex forms st able micelle-like aggregates with an effective diameter of ca. 70 nm u nder these conditions. Such aggregates are not observed in the solutio ns of the PE4VP/AOT complex, PMeS segments in the PiMeS-b-PE4VP/AOT co mplex segregate into an insoluble core, while the PE4VP segments bound with AOT stabilize these particles in solution. Such a type of morpho logy has not been described and is unique for polymer-surfactant compl exes.