Self-Assembly Behavior of Amphiphilic Copolymer Characterized by Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation

Amphiphilic polyacrylamide copolymer aqueous solutions have a special behavior of self-assembly, which is attributed to their composition and molecular structure. In this work, methoxy polyethylene glycol acrylate (PEGA) and/or dodecafluoroheptyl methacrylate (DF) were introduced into the partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HDPAM) molecular chains to enhance their hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity, respectively. The self-assembly behaviors of these copolymers in water solution and salt solution were studied by dissipative particle dynamics (DPD). Results showed that the amphiphilic copolymer (HDPAM-PEGA-DF) had a stronger self-assembly behavior than the hydrophobic modified polyacrylamide copolymer (HDPAM-DF).