Controlling Dimensions of Polymerized Micelles: Micelle Template versus Reaction Conditions

The polymerization of elongated micellar structures offers a novel approach to the production of high aspect ratio, water-soluble amphiphilic nanoparticles. Three different surfactants were synthesized consisting of a cationic surfactant of the form (C X H2 X +1)trimethylammonium (where X = 14, 16,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Langmuir 2006-01, Vol.22 (3), p.941-948
Main Authors:	Gerber, Michael J, Walker, Lynn M
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Chemistry Colloidal state and disperse state Exact sciences and technology General and physical chemistry Micelles. Thin films Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	The polymerization of elongated micellar structures offers a novel approach to the production of high aspect ratio, water-soluble amphiphilic nanoparticles. Three different surfactants were synthesized consisting of a cationic surfactant of the form (C X H2 X +1)trimethylammonium (where X = 14, 16, or 18) and a vinyl-containing counterion, 4-vinylbenzoate. The resulting polymer−surfactant aggregates have been polymerized to produce high aspect ratio nanoparticles which are insensitive to changes in solution conditions. The radius of the initial template is maintained on polymerization, whereas the template length is not. The aggregate radius is varied by changing the length of the surfactant tail, in this case producing aggregates with radii of 1.7, 2.0, or 2.4 nm. Variation of the initiator decomposition half-life, by means of using different initiators and varying temperature, is used to control the aggregate length between 80 and 500 nm. Through the process discussed here, both the radius and length of the aggregates are controlled independently.
ISSN:	0743-7463 1520-5827