Self-Assembly of Hydrophilic Homopolymers: A Matter of RAFT End Groups

Jianzhong Du, Helen Willcock, Joseph P. Patterson, Ian Portman, Rachel K. O'Reilly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

91 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Unusual self-assembly behavior is observed for a range of hydrophilic homopolymers. This self-assembly behavior is contrary to the expected behavior of such hydrophilic polymers and instead mimics more commonly reported amphiphilic block copolymers. It is proposed that the unique combination of hydrophobic end groups at both the α and ω chain end accounts for this unusual self-assembly behavior. Complex internal polymer micelles are spontaneously formed when hydrophilic homopolymer polyelectrolytes and neutral polymers (with a weight fraction of the hydrophobic end groups
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2070-2080
JournalSmall
Volume7
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

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