Fusion of charged block copolymer micelles into toroid networks

The association behavior of polyelectrolyte block copolymers in aqueous solution as a function of polymer and salt concentration is investigated for poly(ethylethylene-b-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEE-PSSH). This copolymer combines a soft hydrophobic block with a highly charged polyelectrolyte block that allows direct dissolution in aqueous solutions to investigate micellization under equilibrium conditions. Increasing polymer and salt concentration leads to the fusion of polyelectrolyte micelles into vesicles and fractal toroid-micronetworks. Association structures were characterized by static light scattering (SLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). At high salt concentrations the solution phase separates into a dilute micellar phase and a concentrated gel phase.