Characterization of association colloids of amphiphilic poly(p-phenylene)sulfonates in aqueous solution

Highly charged dodecyl-substituted poly(p-phenylene)sulfonates (PPPs) with molar masses of 12 and 27 kg/mol have been characterized in dilute salt-free aqueous solution. Besides direct visualization by means of transmission electron microscopy, static and dynamic light scattering as well as small-angle X-ray scattering have been employed for the characterization. The PPPs form cylindrical association colloids with similar radii and radial and axial aggregation numbers for both molar masses. These micelles are stable with respect to their radial strand aggregation number over the entire accessible concentration range, and even at the lowest concentration of c = 0.001 g/L, no single chains could be observed.