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Kinetics of Collapse Transition and Cluster Formation in a Thermoresponsive Micellar Solution of P(S‐ b ‐NIPAM‐ b ‐S) Induced by a Temperature Jump
Author(s) -
Adelsberger Joseph,
Metwalli Ezzeldin,
Diethert Alexander,
Grillo Isabelle,
BivigouKoumba Achille M.,
Laschewsky André,
MüllerBuschbaum Peter,
Papadakis Christine M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201100631
Subject(s) - copolymer , lower critical solution temperature , kinetics , micelle , cloud point , temperature jump , materials science , polymer chemistry , neutron scattering , polystyrene , glass transition , chemical engineering , small angle neutron scattering , polymer , chemistry , scattering , aqueous solution , optics , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
Structural changes at the intra‐ as well as intermicellar level were induced by the LCST‐type collapse transition of poly( N ‐isopropyl acrylamide) in ABA triblock copolymer micelles in water. The distinct process kinetics was followed in situ and in real‐time using time‐resolved small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS), while a micellar solution of a triblock copolymer, consisting of two short deuterated polystyrene endblocks and a long thermoresponsive poly( N ‐isopropyl acrylamide) middle block, was heated rapidly above its cloud point. A very fast collapse together with a multistep aggregation behavior is observed. The findings of the transition occurring at several size and time levels may have implications for the design and application of such thermoresponsive self‐assembled systems.