A comparative analysis of self-assembly in poly(methacrylates) with bulky side substituents of different molecular masses in the solid state and in solutions

A comparative investigation of self-assembly in poly(methacrylates) with bulky substituents based on gallic acid both in the condensed state and in hexane solutions has been performed by using the methods of SAXS and DSC. The size and shape of the formed supramolecular aggregates have been analyzed for the polymers of two different degrees of polymerization (150 and 21). In fresh solutions of a low-molecular-mass polymer, extended piles composed of several molecules are formed. Each molecule from a disk with a diameter of ～4.4 nm, which is similar to the diameter of columnar phase cylinders in the solid state. In solutions of a highmolecular-mass polymer, several molecules form a wormlike particle. The observed supramolecular aggregates are unstable: within several months, their order breaks down and particles are dissolved.