Morphological Control and Switchable Interaction between Miktoarm Terpolymers

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Felix Plamper
• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2011 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 195610889

Based on the work of the last funding period, different model systems are suggested, which would allow a morphology control of polymer aggregates by use of different switching sequences. We address the benefits and drawbacks of ternary miktoarm star polymers along with diblock copolymers and mixed systems (like miktoarm stars with diblock arms) in order to control the morphology both in dispersion and in the gel state. We suggest a combination of thermosensitive components and charged components, which can become insoluble either by thermal stimulus or by (inter)polyelectrolyte complexation. In consequence, the micellar structures obtained by (inter)polyelectrolyte complexation in the cold must be different to the ones obtained in the heat, as parts of the polymers already preaggregate in the hot solutions. This will be achieved by use of e.g. poly(propylene oxide) as a thermoresponsive copolymer part. These structures are to be conserved in the cold, allowing the generation of non-equilibrium aggregates with a predefined structure due to the internal templating effect of the premicelles. Special focus is laid on the temporal evolution and their rearrangements towards equilibrium micelles. In case of gelled samples at (porous) interfaces, their use as smart coatings for electrochemical switching of pore size is illustrated.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants