Linear homopolymer chains in poor solvent exist either as individualcrumpled single chain globules or as macroscopic precipitate, depending onwhether the solution is in one- or two-phase region. However, for linearheteropolymer chains in dilute solution, they might be able to form stablemesoglobules (nanoparticles) made of a limited number of polymer chains if thedegree of amphiphilicity of the chain is sufficiently high and the experimentalconditions are proper. The self-assembly of block copolymers in a selective solventis one of typical such examples. In practice, the formation of stable mesoglobulescan be directly related to the formation of novel polymeric nanoparticles in solution.In this lecture, we will address the formation of mesoglobular phase not only on thebasis of thermodynamics, but also mainly from kinetic point of view, which leads tothe discussion of how viscoelasticity can affect the phase behavior of heteropolymerchains in dilute solution. The formation and stabilization of several different kinds ofnovel polymeric nanoparticles will be used to illustrate our discussion.

Viscoelastic effect on the formation of metal-containing mesoglobules in dilute polymer solutions

242nd National Meeting (2011)

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