Starlike Micelles with Starlike Interactions: A Quantitative Evaluation of Structure Factors and Phase Diagram
Abstract
Starlike PEP-PEO block copolymer micelles offer the possibility to investigate the phase behavior and interactions of regular star polymers (ultrasoft colloids). Micellar functionality f can be smoothly varied by changing solvent composition (interfacial tension). Structure factors obtained by small-angle neutron-scattering can be quantitatively described in terms of an effective potential for star polymers. The experimental phase diagram reproduces to a high level of accuracy the predicted liquid-solid transition. Whereas for intermediate f a bcc phase is observed, for high f the formation of a fcc phase is preempted by glass formation.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review Letters
- Pub Date:
- May 2005
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.195504
- arXiv:
- arXiv:cond-mat/0505091
- Bibcode:
- 2005PhRvL..94s5504L
- Keywords:
-
- 61.25.Hq;
- 61.12.Ex;
- 64.70.Nd;
- 82.35.Jk;
- Macromolecular and polymer solutions;
- polymer melts;
- swelling;
- Neutron scattering;
- Structural transitions in nanoscale materials;
- Copolymers phase transitions structure;
- Condensed Matter - Soft Condensed Matter
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 4 figures, PRL in press