Deformation of copolymer micelles induced by amphiphilic dimer particles

Combining self-consistent-field theory and density-functional theory,we systematically study the deformation of copolymer micelles induced by the presence of amphiphilic dimer particles.Due to the amphiphilic nature,dimer particles tend to accumulate onto the interface of the copolymer micelle.With increasing concentration of the symmetric dimer particles,which are made of two identical spherical particles,the micelle deforms from the initial sphere to ellipse,dumbbell, and finally separates into two micelles.Furthermore,asymmetric dimer particles,composed by two particles with different sizes,are considered to investigate the influence of geometry of dimer particles on the deformation of the micelle.It is found that the micelle inclines to deform into dumbbell due to the additional curvature originating in the gathering of asymmetric dimer particles onto the interface of the micelle.The present study on the deformation of micelles is useful to understand the possible shape variation in the course of cell division/fusion.     

不对称二聚物粒子在两嵌段共聚物形成的支撑膜上的自组装

结合自洽场理论和密度泛函理论,研究了不对称的二聚物粒子在AB两嵌段共聚物形成的支撑膜上的自组装行为. 不对称的二聚物粒子是由两个不同的球组成的两性分子. 其中一个球与A嵌段相亲,另外一个喜欢B嵌段. 不对称粒子能在支撑膜上形成一个双层结构. 由于衬底的存在,所形成的支撑膜上下两叶的对称性被破坏,导致了二聚物粒子在膜上形成的结构也变的不对称. 随着二聚物粒子浓度的增加,在膜上的二聚物粒子的结构将发生变化,从稀四方、六角、密四方再到圆柱结构. 在一个高浓度的密堆积下,二聚物粒子将形成弯曲的圆柱结构. 在支撑膜