Hydration Changes during Thermosensitive Association of a Block Copolymer Consisting of LCST and UCST Blocks

Abstract Summary: Thermosensitive association of a diblock copolymer consisting of poly(3‐dimethyl(methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate) (PdMMAEAPS), as an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) block, and poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PdEA), as a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) block, has been investigated by using IR spectroscopy. The ν(CO) and ν(SO ) bands of the PdMMAEAPS block and the amide I band of PdEA block critically changed at the UCST and LCST, respectively, indicating that the segmental interaction of each block is altered at each transition. The double temperature responsiveness of a UCST block and LCST block containing diblock copolymer. Micelles form at temperatures both below the UCST and above the LCST of the blocks. magnified image The double temperature responsiveness of a UCST block and LCST block containing diblock copolymer. Micelles form at temperatures both below the UCST and above the LCST of the blocks.