Polymer micelles: An example of self-assembling polymers

Diblock and graft aft copolymers for which the blocks are sufficiently different in their solvation properties often self-assemble into micelle structures, In this feature article we emphasize only diblock polymers, We discuss various aspects of this field including the synthesis of diblock polymers containing fluorescent probes placed at precise points in the polymer chain and the preparation and characterization of polymer micelles, These chromophores may undergo photoredox chemistry or be utilized as probes of the local micelle environment. We also discuss our studies of the rate of release of absorbed small molecules (e.g., phenanthrene, pyrene) using fluorescence techniques. Last we describe our approach to the modification of surfaces by either adsorption or chemical attachment of polymer micelles.