Multi-layer films of block copolymer micelles adsorbed to colloidal templates

Abstract

Alternating layers of cationic and anionic block copolymer micelles have been deposited onto colloidal silica particles using a layer-by-layer approach. The resulting films have been investigated using a number of characterization techniques including zeta potential measurements, dynamic light scattering, thermo-gravimetric analysis and microscopy.The micelles used here demonstrate pH-responsive behaviour both in solution and when adsorbed at interfaces. It has been shown that block copolymer micelles can selectively encapsulate and release hydrophobic materials; therefore, the incorporation of such responsive species within films has the potential to offer increased functionality. The formation of films onto colloidal particles is of great interest as it can provide pathways to direct encapsulation of materials along with surface modification. This study aims to provide new insights into the nature and properties of responsive films. Such studies will allow for the future development of novel delivery systems that have potential application within a number of industrial sectors including personal care products, pharmaceuticals and agro-chemicals.

Lipid crystallization: from self-assembly to hierarchical and biological ordering

“…41 Initially lipid layers were generated on some liquid, mostly aqueous surfaces that are called Langmuir Blodgett films; 42,43 however, nowadays single and multiple lipid layers are adhered to different soft and hard surfaces having varying geometries and surface properties. Hard nanoparticles, 44,45 soft colloids, 46 solid wafers 47 etc. form basic substrates which can be further loaded with multiple layers by employing a layer-by-layer technique.…”

Random sequential adsorption of starlike particles

“…Similar question was addressed in a paper by Schelke et al [19], where RSA of three different types of such objects was studied, here however, in particular, we are interested if packings built of surfaceless stars are governed by the same laws as for two-dimensional disks, at least for cases of a large number of ' [20] as well as super-disks introduced in Refs. [21,22], Moreover, starlike particles can also be used to model complex biomolecules like copolymers and dendrimers [23], DNA amphiphiles can self-assemble into starlike micelles [24], Adsorption and aggregation of copolymers and dendrimers have been widely investigated experimentally [25][26][27][28].…”

Preparation of Layer‐by‐Layer Films with Remarkably Different pH‐Stability and Release Properties Using Dual Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles

“…Biggs and co‐workers examined in situ LbL build‐up of the same polymer micelle pair on a 2D substrate using various surface characterization techniques . York and co‐workers showed LbL deposition of PDMA‐ b ‐PDEA micelles onto colloidal particles using either PSS or PDEA‐ b ‐PMAA micelles as the polymer counterpart and showed that these micelles were capable of releasing hydrophobic molecules from the surface below the critical micellization pH of PDMA‐ b ‐PDEA micelles. The same group also demonstrated preparation of hollow microcapsules via LbL deposition of PDMA‐ b ‐PDEA micelles and PDEA‐ b ‐PMAA micelles onto CaCO 3 colloidal templates, followed by dissolution of the template using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) …”