Block Copolymer Micelle Fusion Kinetics

Amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble in block-selective solvents. This process leads to the formation of structures such as spherical micelles, worm-like micelles, and vesicles. These structures are often out-of-equilibrium and non-ergodic. Therefore, understanding their dynamics is paramount for controlling their size and morphology. However, the growth kinetics of strongly segregated block copolymer micelles, where chain exchange between micelles is hindered, remain poorly understood. We have studied the fusion kinetics of block copolymer micelles in dilute solutions using dynamic light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. As a model system, we investigated the relaxation kinetics of poly(ethylethylene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer micelles in ionic liquids. In this talk, we will discuss the quantized fusion kinetics of these block copolymer micelles and how corona repulsion affects the kinetics.