Controlled stacking of charged block copolymer micelles

Using poly(acrylic acid)-b-poly(methyl acrylate)-b-polystyrene (PAA-b-PMA-b-PS) triblock copolymers or a mixture of different molecular weight PAA-b-PS diblock copolymers, stacks of polymeric micellar assemblies, such as disks and Y-shaped cylinders, were formed through intermicellar interactions. Whereas micelles hierarchically stacked together, micellar interactions within the stack defined a uniform micelle geometry and size for up to micrometers in length. The kinetic pathway dependence and stability of the stacked assemblies were studied, and possible intermicellar interactions between micelles within the stacks are proposed.