In recent experiments involving PNIPAM copolymers it has been observed that
stable spherical nanoparticles are being formed by association of several
chains in poor aqueous solution instead of aggregation. This type of mesosc
opic structures called mesoglobules has an extremely monodispersed size dis
tribution. Previously we have studied theoretically formation of clusters c
onsisting of several chains in dilute solutions of amphiphilic heteropolyme
rs. We have seen that the mesoglobules often possess an essentially micella
r structure. In the current work we argue that formation of mesoglobules is
strongly sequence and concentration dependent. In particular, by means of
lattice Monte Carlo simulation we consider structures formed by a number of
tri-block sequences and their certain mutations. For sequences consisting
of two hydrophilic ends with a hydrophobic middle the size distribution of
the resulting particles is rather narrow, i.e. mesoglobules are being forme
d. However, in the case of sequences with two hydrophobic ends and a hydrop
hilic middle a new type of structures seems to be prevalent. These consist
of small mesoglobules interconnected by hydrophilic bridges. Clearly, on in
creasing the concentration these networked structures would play an importa
nt role resulting in a rapid onset of a gel-like behaviour. (C) 2001 Elsevi
er Science BN. All rights reserved.