Composite Worm‐Like Aggregates Formed from a Pair of Block‐Copolymers Containing Hydrogen‐Bonding Donor and Acceptor

Abstract

Abstract Worm‐like aggregates with a PAA/P4VP complex core and a PEG/PNIPAM mixed shell were prepared in ethanol by the comicellization of poly(ethylene glycol)‐ block ‐poly(acrylic acid) (PEG‐ b ‐PAA) and poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide)‐ block ‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PNIPAM‐ b ‐P4VP) through hydrogen‐bonding. The formed aggregates were studied by dynamic light scattering, static light scattering, 1 H NMR, and transmission electron microscopy. The length of worm‐like aggregates could be adjusted by changing the weight ratio of W (PNIPAM‐ b ‐P4VP)/ W (PEG‐ b ‐PAA). When the ratio changed from 20 to 150%, the length changed from about 100 nm to several microns, and the diameter stayed almost unchanged at about 15 nm. magnified image