Lyotropic Phase Behavior of Amphiphilic Random Copolymer in Aqueous Solution
발표자
()
초록
내용
Amphiphilic molecules containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties aggregate into micelles in aqueous medium, and further self-assemble into lyotropic mesophases such as vesicles, cylinders, and lamellae at higher concentration. Amphiphilic random copolymers consisting of non-ionic hydrophilic and aliphatic alkyl side chains are known to fold into single chain micelles in a dilute aqueous solution. Here, we report unique mesophases found in concentrated amphiphilic random copolymers solutions in water. Small angle X-ray scattering study suggests the phase behavior is driven by both the hydrophilic-phobic balance and the backbone length scale. Origin of the complex mesostructure formation is attributed to the thermodynamic drive to order at the macromolecular and molecular levels.