Abstract
In this paper we report a small-angle neutron-scattering investigation of micelle formation by the fluorocarbon-hydrocarbon block copolymer, polyvinyl acetate-b-poly (1,1,2,2-tetrahydroperfluoro-octyl acrylate) in supercritical at 313 K. At high pressure the copolymer is in a monomeric state with a random coil structure, while at low pressure the polymer forms spherical aggregates stable in a wide range of thermodynamic conditions. By profiling pressure, a sharp monomer-micelle transition is obtained due to the tuning of the solvating ability of We confirm the previous finding that this aggregate-monomer transition is driven by the gradual penetration of molecules toward the core of the aggregate and is critically related to the density of the solvent, thus giving additional support to the concept of a critical micellization density reported earlier on a similar polymer.
- Received 1 May 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.62.5839
©2000 American Physical Society