J. Van Stam et al., Tuning of the exchange dynamics of unimers between block copolymer micelles with temperature, cosolvents, and cosurfactants, MACROMOLEC, 33(17), 2000, pp. 6388-6395
The dynamics of unimer exchange between aqueous micelles, formed by two amp
hiphilic block copolymers; i.e., poly(styrene-b-sodium methacrylate) and po
ly(tert-butylstyrene-b-sodium methacrylate), has been investigated by stead
y-state fluorescence spectroscopy. The kinetics are so slow at room tempera
ture that no exchange could be detected over several hours, while at 60 deg
rees C the exchange rate constants could be estimated. These results Corrob
orate our previous findings that the rate is slowed down by increasing the
hydrophobicity of the core. In addition to the temperature, the exchange ca
n also be tuned by the addition of either a cosolvent or a cosurfactant. Th
e efficiency of these additives to speed up the exchange process is related
to their water solubility and their compatibility with the hydrophobic cor
e of the micelles. The most pronounced effect on the exchange process is ob
served when the water solubility is low and the mixing of the additive with
the hydrophobic core is favorable.