Morphology Evolution of Stimuli-Responsive Triblock Copolymer Modulated by Polyoxometalates

Abstract

Polyoxometalate (POM) H3PMo12O40 was coassembled with stimuli-responsive triblock copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PS-b-PDMAEMA) by electrostatic interactions. Depending on the POM contents, the hybrid complexes can self-assemble into a series of morphologies: micelles, rods, toroids, and vesicles. Unlike traditional morphology transition of amphiphilic block copolymer derived from a broad range of hydrophobic volume fractions, POM-induced morphology transitions just occurred in a narrow range of volume fractions. The length of rod micelles exponentially decreased with solvent compositions (tetrahydrofuran/H2O). The hybrid assemblies showed acid–base responsibility due to the PDMAEMA block. Rod micelles could further assemble and disassemble reversibly upon adding acid/base. Fluorescent polyoxometalate Na9EuW10O36 was also complexed with PEO-b-PS-b-PDMAEMA to prepare fluorescent vesicles. The vesicles showed off–on switchable fluorescence behavior accompanied with reversible vesicle-to-micelle transformation in response to pH stimuli.