The self-assembly of amphiphilic perfluorodecyl end-capped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (C10F17-PIPOZ) in aqueous solution was studied by light scattering, TEM, and 19F NMR.  The polymer forms flower micelles at room temperature with a hydrodynamic radius around 10 nm, measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS).  The micelle formation was confirmed by TEM and polydispersed spheres with an average diameter of 14.7 nm were observed.  Aqueous solutions of C10F17-PIPOZ underwent phase separation when heated above 30�C, as detected by an increase in turbidity.  Temperature dependent DLS studies of the solutions revealed the occurrence of a transition from flower micelles to large aggregates (RH around 495 nm) as the solution temperature exceeded 30�C. The temperature triggered phase separation of telechelic C10F17-PIPOZ solution was also observed by a decrease of transverse relaxation time of the F19 nuclei of the fluorodecyl end group, implying that the fluorocarbon chains motion is restricted in the aggregates.

Association and phase separation of telechelic perfluorodecyl end-capped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) in water

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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