Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol.47, No.4, 1052-1060, 2009
Redox, Ionic Strength, and pH Sensitive Supramolecular Polymer Assemblies
Formation of micelle-type assembly from supramolecular complexation of a surfactant and an oppositely charged homopolymer is demonstrated. The lower CAC observed for these assemblies suggest that the electrostatic interaction provides an amphiphilic homopolymer-like structure. The stimulus-induced disassembly of these supramolecular structures has been accomplished with variations in redox characteristics, ionic strength, and pH of the medium. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1052-1060, 2009
Keywords:amphiphiles;disassembly;glutathione;ionic strength;pH sensitive;polyelectrolyte-surfactant aggregate;polyelectrolytes;redox;stimuli-sensitive polymers;supramolecular structures