Swollen Vesicles and Multiple Emulsions from Block Copolymers

作者：Ani T. Nikova, Vernita Gordon, Galder Cristobal, Maria Ruela Talingting, David C. Bell, Cara C. Evans, Mathieu Joanicot, Joseph A. Zasadzinski, David A. Weitz · 发表于：Macromolecules · 年份：2004 · DOI：10.1021/ma035638k · 被引用次数：47 · 研究领域：Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization、Polymer Surface Interaction Studies、Covalent Organic Framework Applications

We engineer novel structures by “stuffing” the aliphatic regions of self-assembled aggregates with hydrophobic homopolymer. These “stuffed” vesicles and multiple emulsions are formed in a one-step process when we rehydrate stuffed films made of amphiphilic block copolymer and hydrophobic homopolymer. Without such homopolymer, this system forms micelles. With homopolymer, vesicles form; varying vesicle membrane thicknesses show that these structures incorporate different amounts of homopolymer. Multiple emulsions, containing more homopolymer than stuffed vesicles, are also fabricated using this single-amphiphile system. The system's incorporation of homopolymer to modify the properties and morphology of the resultant structures is a convenient strategy for preparing self-assembled macromolecular structures with controllable properties.