This study reports the first well-defined stable nanomicelles (20-30 nm in diameter) self-assembled by amphiphilic brush cyclic and tadpole-shaped copolymers composed of hydrophobic <i>n</i>-decyl and and hydrophilic 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl bristle blocks based on poly(glycidyl ether) backbone. The micelle formation behaviors and structural details were quantitatively characterized by synchrotron X-ray scattering analysis in rigorous and complementary methods. The cyclic topology enables a compact and stable micelle core aggregation behavior, and the formation of a densely packed micelle corona that prevents intermicellar aggregation. At the core, the presence of hydrophobic brushes within the cyclic topology is identified as the primary micellar structural stabilizing factor that establishes stable core aggregation and sharp core-corona interface formation. The presence of hydrophilic brush cyclic component in the corona is determined as the secondary micellar structural stabilizing factor that functions to nullify the corona penetration by polymer chains from other micelles and ultimately prevent the intermicellar aggregation mediated collapse of micellar structure. Overall, the brush cyclic topology was confirmed to be beneficial in forming nanomicelles with high stability and extremely narrow size distribution in comparison to linear and tadpole topologies. The results of this study could provide valuable opportunities in desigining high performance advanced functional materials for nanomicelles for potential applications in various fields including molecular electronics, photonics, smart coatings, cosmetics, biomedical imaging, and drug delivery.

Versatile nanomicelle carrier platform self-assembled by brush cyclic and tadpole copolymer amphiphiles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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