Perfluorooctanoic acid-mediated self-assembly behaviour of linear and star block copolymers: the impact of intermolecular interactions on polymer micelles
Journal
Journal of Materials Chemistry C
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
39
Start Page
20094
End Page
20104
ISSN
20507526
Date Issued
2025-10-09
Author(s)
Patel, Ankur
Ray, Debes
Parekh, Paresh
Khimani, Mehul
Kuperkar, Ketan
Aswal, V. K.
Patel, Vijay
Abstract
In this study, we present results from high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry (HSDSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and computational simulation performed for understanding the micellization and micelle morphology of two EO-PO block copolymeric surfactants, namely, the linear triblock copolymer Pluronic® F127 and the star block copolymer Tetronic® T1107 (both with 70% PEO content), in the presence of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Increasing the concentration of PFOA in aqueous solutions of both copolymers resulted in a significant reduction in the critical micellization temperature (CMT), as inferred from the calorimetric findings. Scattering experiments revealed intriguing results, indicating that the micelle radius (Rc, Rhs) and aggregation number (Nagg) of polymeric micelles increased with increasing PFOA concentration. The addition of PFOA did not alter the morphology of the micelles; however, comparing the correlation peaks in SANS suggested that the distance between the spherical micelles decreased as the PFOA concentration increased. Thus, the outcome of this study helps to fine-tune the performance-based properties of these widely used polymeric surfactants with a fluorinated hydrophobic additive.
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Type
journal article