A Subtle End‐Group Effect on Macroscopic Physical Gelation of Triblock Copolymer Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

In the end: Alkyl end groups can induce a thermoreversible sol–gel transition in an otherwise sol-like suspension by affecting the macroscopic self-assembly behavior. The picture shows PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymer/water mixtures in the sol (polymer a), gel (polymers b and c), and precipitation states (polymer d). PLGA=poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), PEG=poly(ethylene glycol).