Two Robust Strategies toward Hydrogels from Quenched Block Copolymer Nanofibrillar Micelles

Journal Article (2018)
Author(s)

Kai Zhang (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter, TU Delft - Materials and Environment)

A.P. Suratkar (TU Delft - Applied Sciences)

S. Vedaraman (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter)

V Lakshminarayanan (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter)

L. Jennings (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter)

P.J. Glazer (TU Delft - Resources & Recycling)

J. H. van Esch (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter)

E. Mendes (TU Delft - ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter)

Research Group
ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter
Copyright
© 2018 K. Zhang, A.P. Suratkar, S. Vedaraman, V. Lakshminarayanan, L. Jennings, P.J. Glazer, J.H. van Esch, E. Mendes
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01158
More Info
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Publication Year
2018
Language
English
Copyright
© 2018 K. Zhang, A.P. Suratkar, S. Vedaraman, V. Lakshminarayanan, L. Jennings, P.J. Glazer, J.H. van Esch, E. Mendes
Research Group
ChemE/Advanced Soft Matter
Issue number
15
Volume number
51
Pages (from-to)
5788-5797
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Abstract

While the formation of (tri)block copolymer hydrogels has been extensively investigated, such studies mostly focused on equilibrium self-assembling whereas the use of preformed structures as building blocks such as out of equilibrium, quenched, nanofibrillar micelles is still a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that quenched, ultralong polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) micelles can be used as robust precursors of hydrogels. Two cross-linking strategies, (i) thermal fusion of micellar cores and (ii) chemical cross-linking of preformed micellar coronas were studied. The gelation process and the structure of the micellar networks were investigated by in situ rheological measurements, confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Direct observation of core fusion of preformed quenched micelles is provided validating this method as a robust gelation route. Using time sweep rheological experiments, it was found for both cross-linking methods that these 3D "mikado" gels are formed in three different stages, containing (1) initiation, (2) transition (growth), and (3) stabilization regimes.