Hybridization of poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) aggregates in dioxane/water solution

Self-assembly of binary blends of two triblock copolymers of poly(4-vinyl pyridine)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine), i.e., P4VP₄₃-b-PS₂₆₀-b-P4VP₄₃ (P1) and P4VP₄₃-b-PS₃₆₆-b-P4VP₄₃ (P2), in dioxane/water solution was studied. These two triblock copolymers individually tend to form vesicles (P2) and cylindrical micelles (P1) in dilute solution. It was found that copolymer components in the blend, sample preparation method, and annealing time had significant effect on hybridization aggregate morphology. By increasing P1 content in the copolymer blends, fraction of looped and stretched cylinders increased, while fraction of bilayers decreased. Nearly no bilayer was observed when P1 content was above 85 wt%. On the other hand, fraction of cylinders decreased while fraction of bilayers increased with the increase of P2 content in copolymer blends. Lamellar structures were obtained, when P2 content was 60 wt% in the copolymer blends, whereas cylinders were seldom found when P2 content was above 80 wt%. These results indicate that P1 and P2 copolymer molecules cooperatively participate in the formation of cylinders and vesicles. Some exotic structures, such as lamellae with protruding cylinders (LPC), incomplete vesicles with protruding cylinders (VPC), and cylindrical bilayers, have been kinetically trapped. These structures may result from intramicellar fusion processes in cylindrical micelles. The striking structures represent a compromise between bilayer and cylindrical geometries.