@article{DodooSteitzLaschewskyetal.2011, author = {Dodoo, S. and Steitz, R. and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and von Klitzing, Regine}, title = {Effect of ionic strength and type of ions on the structure of water swollen polyelectrolyte multilayers}, series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, volume = {13}, journal = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : a journal of European Chemical Societies}, number = {21}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1463-9076}, doi = {10.1039/c0cp01357a}, pages = {10318 -- 10325}, year = {2011}, abstract = {This study addresses the effect of ionic strength and type of ions on the structure and water content of polyelectrolyte multilayers. Polyelectrolyte multilayers of poly(sodium-4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) and poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) prepared at different NaF, NaCl and NaBr concentrations have been investigated by neutron reflectometry against vacuum, H2O and D2O. Both thickness and water content of the multilayers increase with increasing ionic strength and increasing ion size. Two types of water were identified, "void water" which fills the voids of the multilayers and does not contribute to swelling but to a change in scattering length density and "swelling water" which directly contributes to swelling of the multilayers. The amount of void water decreases with increasing salt concentration and anion radius while the amount of swelling water increases with salt concentration and anion radius. This is interpreted as a denser structure in the dry state and larger ability to swell in water (sponge) for multilayers prepared from high ionic strengths and/or salt solution of large anions. No exchange of hydration water or replacement of H by D was detected even after eight hours incubation time in water of opposing isotopic composition.}, language = {en} } @article{SkrabaniaMiasnikovaBivigouKoumbaetal.2011, author = {Skrabania, Katja and Miasnikova, Anna and Bivigou Koumba, Achille Mayelle and Zehm, Daniel and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Examining the UV-vis absorption of RAFT chain transfer agents and their use for polymer analysis}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {2}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, number = {9}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c1py00173f}, pages = {2074 -- 2083}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The absorption characteristics of a large set of thiocarbonyl based chain transfer agents (CTAs) were studied by UV-vis spectroscopy in order to identify appropriate conditions for exploiting their absorbance bands in end-group analysis of polymers prepared by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. Substitution pattern and solvent polarity were found to affect notably the wavelengths and intensities of the pi-pi*- and n-pi*-transition of the thiocarbonyl bond of dithioester and trithiocarbonate RAFT agents. Therefore, it is advisable to refer in end group analysis to the spectral parameters of low molar mass analogues of the active polymer chain ends, rather than to rely on the specific RAFT agent engaged in the polymerisation. When using appropriate conditions, the quantification of the thiocarbonyl end-groups via the pi-pi* band of the thiocarbonyl moiety around 300-310 nm allows a facile, sensitive and surprisingly precise estimation of the number average molar mass of the polymers produced, without the need of particular end group labels. Moreover, when additional methods for absolute molar mass determination can be applied, the quantification of the thiocarbonyl end-groups by UV-spectroscopy provides a good estimate of the degree of active end group for a given polymer sample.}, language = {en} } @article{PrevostWattebledLaschewskyetal.2011, author = {Prevost, Sylvain and Wattebled, Laurent and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Gradzielski, Michael}, title = {Formation of monodisperse charged vesicles in mixtures of cationic gemini surfactants and anionic SDS}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {27}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/la103976p}, pages = {582 -- 591}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The aggregation behavior of catanionics formed by the mixture of cationic geminis derived from dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) and anionic sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) was studied by means of phase studies and comprehensive small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiments at 25 degrees C and 50 mM overall concentration. The results are compared to those for the previously studied SDS + DTAC system. Various gemini spacers of different natures and geometries were used, but all of them had similar lengths: an ethoxy bridge, a double bond, and an aromatic ring binding the two DTACs in three different substitutions (ortho, meta, and para). SANS and SAXS data analysis indicates that the spacer has no large effect on the spheroidal micelles of pure surfactants formed at low concentration in water; however, specific effects appear with the addition of electrolytes. Microstructures formed in the catanionic mixtures are rather strongly dependent on the nature of the spacer. The most important finding is that for the hydrophilic, flexible ethoxy bridge, monodisperse vesicles with a fixed anionic/cationic charge ratio (depending only on the surfactant in excess) are formed. Furthermore, the composition of these vesicles shows that strongly charged aggregates are formed. This study therefore provides new opportunities for developing tailor-made gemini surfactants that allow for the fine tuning of catanionic structures.}, language = {en} } @article{GlatzelLaschewskyLutz2011, author = {Glatzel, Stefan and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Lutz, Jean-Francois}, title = {Well-Defined uncharged polymers with a sharp UCST in water and in physiological milieu}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {44}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/ma102677k}, pages = {413 -- 415}, year = {2011}, language = {en} } @article{AdelsbergerMeierKollBivigouKoumbaetal.2011, author = {Adelsberger, Joseph and Meier-Koll, Andreas and Bivigou Koumba, Achille Mayelle and Busch, Peter and Holderer, Olaf and Hellweg, Thomas and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter and Papadakis, Christine M.}, title = {The collapse transition and the segmental dynamics in concentrated micellar solutions of P(S-b-NIPAM) diblock copolymers}, series = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, volume = {289}, journal = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, number = {5-6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0303-402X}, doi = {10.1007/s00396-011-2382-3}, pages = {711 -- 720}, year = {2011}, abstract = {We investigate concentrated solutions of poly(styrene-b-N-isopropyl acrylamide) (P(S-b-NIPAM)) diblock copolymers in deuterated water (D2O). Both structural changes and the changes of the segmental dynamics occurring upon heating through the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM are studied using small-angle neutron scattering and neutron spin-echo spectroscopy. The collapse of the micellar shell and the cluster formation of collapsed micelles at the LCST as well as an increase of the segmental diffusion coefficient after crossing the LCST are detected. Comparing to our recent results on a triblock copolymer P(S-b-NIPAM-b-S) [25], we observe that the collapse transition of P(S-b-NIPAM) is more complex and that the PNIPAM segmental dynamics are faster than in P(S-b-NIPAM-b-S).}, language = {en} } @article{ZhongWangAdelsbergeretal.2011, author = {Zhong, Qi and Wang, Weinan and Adelsberger, Joseph and Golosova, Anastasia and Koumba, Achille M. Bivigou and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Funari, Sergio S. and Perlich, Jan and Roth, Stephan V. and Papadakis, Christine M. and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter}, title = {Collapse transition in thin films of poly(methoxydiethylenglycol acrylate)}, series = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, volume = {289}, journal = {Colloid and polymer science : official journal of the Kolloid-Gesellschaft}, number = {5-6}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0303-402X}, doi = {10.1007/s00396-011-2384-1}, pages = {569 -- 581}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The thermal behavior of poly(methoxydiethylenglycol acrylate) (PMDEGA) is studied in thin hydrogel films on solid supports and is compared with the behavior in aqueous solution. The PMDEGA hydrogel film thickness is varied from 2 to 422 nm. Initially, these films are homogenous, as measured with optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray reflectivity, and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). However, they tend to de-wet when stored under ambient conditions. Along the surface normal, no long-ranged correlations between substrate and film surface are detected with GISAXS, due to the high mobility of the polymer at room temperature. The swelling of the hydrogel films as a function of the water vapor pressure and the temperature are probed for saturated water vapor pressures between 2,380 and 3,170 Pa. While the swelling capability is found to increase with water vapor pressure, swelling in dependence on the temperature revealed a collapse phase transition of a lower critical solution temperature type. The transition temperature decreases from 40.6 A degrees C to 36.6 A degrees C with increasing film thickness, but is independent of the thickness for very thin films below a thickness of 40 nm. The observed transition temperature range compares well with the cloud points observed in dilute (0.1 wt.\%) and semi-dilute (5 wt.\%) solution which decrease from 45 A degrees C to 39 A degrees C with increasing concentration.}, language = {en} } @article{MarsatHeydenreichKleinpeteretal.2011, author = {Marsat, Jean-Noel and Heydenreich, Matthias and Kleinpeter, Erich and Berlepsch, Hans V. and Boettcher, Christoph and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Self-Assembly into multicompartment micelles and selective solubilization by Hydrophilic-Lipophilic-Fluorophilic block copolymers}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {44}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/ma200032j}, pages = {2092 -- 2105}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Amphiphilic linear ternary block copolymers (ABC) were synthesized in three consecutive steps by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) method. Using oligo(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether acrylate, benzyl acrylate, and 1H,1H-perfluorobutyl acrylate monomers, the triblock copolymers consist of a hydrophilic (A), a lipophilic (B), and a fluorophilic (C) block. The block sequence of the triphilic copolymers was varied systematically to provide all possible variations: ABC, ACB, and BAC. All blocks have glass transition temperatures below 0 degrees C. Self-assembly into spherical micellar aggregates was observed in aqueous solution, where hydrophobic cores undergo local phase separation into various ultrastructures as shown by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Selective solubilization of substantial quantities of hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon low molar mass compounds by the lipophilic and fluorophilic block, respectively, is demonstrated.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissLaschewsky2011, author = {Weiss, Jan and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Temperature-induced self-assembly of triple-responsive triblock copolymers in aqueous solutions}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {27}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {8}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/la200115p}, pages = {4465 -- 4473}, year = {2011}, abstract = {A series of triple-thermoresponsive triblock copolymers from poly(N-n-propylacrylamide) (PNPAM, A), poly(methoxydiethylene glycol acrylate) (PMDEGA, B), and poly(N-ethylacrylamide) (PNEAM, C) was synthesized by sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerizations. Polymers of differing block sequences, ABC, BAC, and ACB, with increasing phase transition temperatures in the order A < B < C were prepared. Their aggregation behavior in dilute aqueous solution was investigated using dynamic light scattering, turbidimetry, and NMR spectroscopy. The self-organization of such polymers was found to dependent strongly on the block sequence. While polymers with a terminal low-LCST (lower critical solution temperature) block undergo aggregation above the first phase transition temperature at 20-25 degrees C, triblock copolymers with the low-LCST block in the middle show aggregation only above the second phase transition. The collapse of the middle block is not sufficient to induce aggregation but produces instead stable, unimolecular micelles with a collapsed middle block, as supported by NMR and fluorescence probe data. Continued heating of all copolymers led to two additional thermal transitions at 40-55 and 70-80 degrees C, which could be correlated to the phase transitions of the B and C blocks, respectively. All polymers show a high tendency for cluster formation, once aggregation is induced. The carrier abilities of the triple responsive triblock copolymers for hydrophobic agents were probed with the solvatochromic fluorescence dye Nile Red. With passing through the first thermal transition, the block copolymers are capable of solubilizing Nile Red. In the case of block copolymers with sequences ABC or ACB, which bear the low-LCST block at one terminus, notable amounts of dye are solubilized already at this stage. In contrast, the hydrophobic probe is much less efficiently incorporated by the BAC triblock copolymer, which forms unimolecular micelles. Only after the collapse of the B block, when reaching the second phase transition at about 45 degrees C, does aggregation occur and solubilization becomes efficient. In the case of ABC and ACB polymers, the hydrophobic probe seems to partition between the originally collapsed A chains and the additional hydrophobic chains formed after the collapse of the less hydrophobic B block.}, language = {en} } @article{KristenHochreinLaschewskyMilleretal.2011, author = {Kristen-Hochrein, Nora and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Miller, Reinhard and von Klitzing, Regine}, title = {Stability of foam Films of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures - effect of isoelectric point}, series = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical chemistry}, volume = {115}, journal = {The journal of physical chemistry : B, Condensed matter, materials, surfaces, interfaces \& biophysical chemistry}, number = {49}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1520-6106}, doi = {10.1021/jp206964k}, pages = {14475 -- 14483}, year = {2011}, abstract = {In the present paper, the influence of the surfactant concentration and the degree of charge of a polymer on foam film properties of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures has been investigated. To verify the assumption that the position of the isoelectric point (IEP) does not change the character of the foam film stabilities, the position of the IEP of the polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures has been shifted in two different ways. Within the first series of experiments, the foam. film properties were studied using a fixed surfactant concentration of 3 x 10(-5) M in the mixture. Due to the low surfactant concentration, this is a rather dilute system. In the second approach, a copolymer of nonionic and ionic monomer units was Used to lower the charge density of the polymer. This gave rise to additional interactions between the polyelectrolyte and the surfactant, which makes the description of the foam film behavior more complex. In both systems, the same characteristics of the foam film stabilities were found: The foam film stability is reduced toward the IEP of the system, followed by a destabilization around the IEP., At polyelectrolyte concentrations above the IEP, foam films are very stable. However, the concentration range where unstable films were formed was rather broad, and the mechanisms leading to the destabilization had different origins. The results were compared with former findings on PAMPS/C(14)TAB mixtures with an IEP of 10(-4)M.(1)}, language = {en} } @article{ZehmLaschewskyLiangetal.2011, author = {Zehm, Daniel and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Liang, Hua and Rabe, J{\"u}rgen P.}, title = {Straightforward access to amphiphilic dual bottle brushes by combining RAFT, ATRP, and NMP polymerization in one sequence}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {44}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {24}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/ma2015613}, pages = {9635 -- 9641}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Molecular brush diblock copolymers were synthesized by the orthogonal overlay of the RAFT (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer), the ATRP (atom transfer radical polymerization), and the NMP (nitroxide-mediated polymerization) techniques. This unique combination enabled the synthesis of the complex amphiphilic polymers without the need of postpolymerization modifications, using a diblock copolymer intermediate made from two selectively addressable inimers and applying a sequence of four controlled free radical polymerization steps in total. The resulting polymers are composed of a thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brush as hydrophilic block and a polystyrene brush as hydrophobic block, thus translating the structure of the established amphiphilic diblock copolymers known as macro surfactants to the higher size level of "giant surfactants". The dual molecular brushes and the aggregates formed on ultra flat solid substrates were visualized by scanning force microscopy (SFM).}, language = {en} } @article{HerfurthVollBulleretal.2012, author = {Herfurth, Christoph and Voll, Dominik and Buller, Jens and Weiss, Jan and Barner-Kowollik, Christopher and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Radical addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of ferrocenyl (meth)acrylates}, series = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, volume = {50}, journal = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Malden}, issn = {0887-624X}, doi = {10.1002/pola.24994}, pages = {108 -- 118}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We report on the controlled free radical homopolymerization of 1-ferrocenylethyl acrylate as well as of three new ferrocene bearing monomers, namely 4-ferrocenylbutyl acrylate, 2-ferrocenylamido-2-methylpropyl acrylate, and 4-ferrocenylbutyl methacrylate, by the RAFT technique. For comparison, the latter monomer was polymerized using ATRP, too. The ferrocene containing monomers were found to be less reactive than their analogues free of ferrocene. The reasons for the low polymerizability are not entirely clear. As the addition of free ferrocene to the reaction mixture did not notably affect the polymerizations, sterical hindrance by the bulky ferrocene moiety fixed on the monomers seems to be the most probable explanation. Molar masses found for 1-ferrocenylethyl acrylate did not exceed 10,000 g mol(-1), while for 4-ferrocenylbutyl (meth) acrylate molar masses of 15,000 g mol(-1) could be obtained. With PDIs as low as 1.3 in RAFT polymerization of the monomers, good control over the polymerization was achieved.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissLiWischerhoffetal.2012, author = {Weiss, Jan and Li, Ang and Wischerhoff, Erik and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Water-soluble random and alternating copolymers of styrene monomers with adjustable lower critical solution temperature}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {3}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, number = {2}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c1py00422k}, pages = {352 -- 361}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Random copolymers of 4-vinylbenzyl tri(oxyethylene) and tetra(oxyethylene) ethers, as well as alternating copolymers of 4-vinylbenzyl methoxytetra(oxyethylene) ether and a series of N-substituted maleimides, were synthesised by conventional free radical polymerisation, reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP). Their thermosensitive behaviour in aqueous solution was studied by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. Depending on the copolymer composition, a LCST type phase transition was observed in water. The transition temperature of the obtained random as well as alternating copolymers could be varied within a broad temperature window. In the case of the random copolymers, transition temperatures could be easily fine-tuned, as they showed a linear dependence on the copolymer composition, and were additionally modified by the nature of the polymer end-groups. Alternating copolymers were extremely versatile for implementing a broad range of variations of the phase transition temperatures. Further, while alternating copolymers derived from 4-vinylbenzyl methoxytetra(oxyethylene) ether and maleimides with small hydrophobic side chains underwent macroscopic phase separation when dissolved in water and heated above their cloud point, the incorporation of maleimides bearing larger hydrophobic substituents resulted in the formation of mesoglobules above the phase transition temperature, with hydrodynamic diameters of less than 100 nm.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhongMetwalliKauneetal.2012, author = {Zhong, Qi and Metwalli, Ezzeldin and Kaune, Gunar and Rawolle, Monika and Bivigou Koumba, Achille Mayelle and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Papadakis, Christine M. and Cubitt, Robert and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter}, title = {Switching kinetics of thin thermo-responsive hydrogel films of poly(monomethoxy-diethyleneglycol-acrylate) probed with in situ neutron reflectivity}, series = {Soft matter}, volume = {8}, journal = {Soft matter}, number = {19}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1744-683X}, doi = {10.1039/c2sm25401h}, pages = {5241 -- 5249}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The switching kinetics of thin thermo-responsive hydrogel films of poly(monomethoxy-diethyleneglycol-acrylate) (PMDEGA) are investigated. Homogeneous and smooth PMDEGA films with a thickness of 35.9 nm are prepared on silicon substrates by spin coating. As probed with white light interferometry, PMDEGA films with a thickness of 35.9 nm exhibit a phase transition temperature of the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) type of 40 degrees C. In situ neutron reflectivity is performed to investigate the thermo-responsive behavior of these PMDEGA hydrogel films in response to a sudden thermal stimulus in deuterated water vapor atmosphere. The collapse transition proceeds in a complex way which can be seen as three steps. The first step is the shrinkage of the initially swollen film by a release of water. In the second step the thickness remains constant with water molecules embedded in the film. In the third step, perhaps due to a conformational rearrangement of the collapsed PMDEGA chains, water is reabsorbed from the vapor atmosphere, thereby giving rise to a relaxation process. Both the shrinkage and relaxation processes can be described by a simple model of hydrogel deswelling.}, language = {en} } @article{HerfurthdeMolinaWielandetal.2012, author = {Herfurth, Christoph and de Molina, Paula Malo and Wieland, Christoph and Rogers, Sarah and Gradzielski, Michael and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {One-step RAFT synthesis of well-defined amphiphilic star polymers and their self-assembly in aqueous solution}, series = {Polymer Chemistry}, volume = {3}, journal = {Polymer Chemistry}, number = {6}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1759-9954}, doi = {10.1039/c2py20126g}, pages = {1606 -- 1617}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Multifunctional chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerisation were designed for the one-step synthesis of amphiphilic star polymers. Thus, hydrophobically end-capped 3- and 4-arm star polymers, as well as linear ones for reference, were made of the hydrophilic monomer N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) in high yield with molar masses up to 150 000 g mol(-1), narrow molar mass distribution (PDI <= 1.2) and high end group functionality (similar to 90\%). The associative telechelic polymers form transient networks of interconnected aggregates in aqueous solution, thus acting as efficient viscosity enhancers and rheology modifiers, eventually forming hydrogels. The combination of dynamic light scattering (DLS), small angle neutron scattering (SANS) and rheology experiments revealed that several molecular parameters control the structure and therefore the physical properties of the aggregates. In addition to the size of the hydrophilic block (maximum length for connection) and the length of the hydrophobic alkyl chain ends (stickiness), the number of arms (functionality) proved to be a key parameter.}, language = {en} } @article{AdelsbergerMetwalliDiethertetal.2012, author = {Adelsberger, Joseph and Metwalli, Ezzeldin and Diethert, Alexander and Grillo, Isabelle and Bivigou Koumba, Achille Mayelle and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter and Papadakis, Christine M.}, title = {Kinetics of collapse transition and cluster formation in a thermoresponsive micellar solution of P(S-b-NIPAM-b-S) induced by a temperature jump}, series = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, volume = {33}, journal = {Macromolecular rapid communications}, number = {3}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Malden}, issn = {1022-1336}, doi = {10.1002/marc.201100631}, pages = {254 -- 259}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Structural changes at the intra- as well as intermicellar level were induced by the LCST-type collapse transition of poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) in ABA triblock copolymer micelles in water. The distinct process kinetics was followed in situ and in real-time using time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), while a micellar solution of a triblock copolymer, consisting of two short deuterated polystyrene endblocks and a long thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) middle block, was heated rapidly above its cloud point. A very fast collapse together with a multistep aggregation behavior is observed. The findings of the transition occurring at several size and time levels may have implications for the design and application of such thermoresponsive self-assembled systems.}, language = {en} } @article{MiasnikovaLaschewskyDePaolietal.2012, author = {Miasnikova, Anna and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and De Paoli, Gabriele and Papadakis, Christine M. and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter and Funari, Sergio S.}, title = {Thermoresponsive Hydrogels from Symmetrical Triblock Copolymers Poly(styrene-block-(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate)-block-styrene)}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {28}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/la204665q}, pages = {4479 -- 4490}, year = {2012}, abstract = {A series of symmetrical, thermo-responsive triblock copolymers was prepared by reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization, and studied in aqueous solution with respect to their ability to form hydrogels. Triblock copolymers were composed of two identical, permanently hydrophobic outer blocks, made of low molar mass polystyrene, and of a hydrophilic inner block of variable length, consisting of poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate) PMDEGA. The polymers exhibited a LCST-type phase transition in the range of 20-40 degrees C, which markedly depended on molar mass and concentration. Accordingly, the triblock copolymers behaved as amphiphiles at low temperatures, but became water-insoluble at high temperatures. The temperature dependent self-assembly of the amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solution was studied by turbidimetry and rheology at concentrations up to 30 wt \%, to elucidate the impact of the inner thermoresponsive block on the gel properties. Additionally, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was performed to access the structural changes in the gel with temperature. For all polymers a gel phase was obtained at low temperatures, which underwent a gel-sol transition at intermediate temperatures, well below the cloud point where phase separation occurred. With increasing length of the PMDEGA inner block, the gel-sol transition shifts to markedly lower concentrations, as well as to higher transition temperatures. For the longest PMDEGA block studied (DPn about 450), gels had already formed at 3.5 wt \% at low temperatures. The gel-sol transition of the hydrogels and the LCST-type phase transition of the hydrophilic inner block were found to be independent of each other.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissLaschewsky2012, author = {Weiss, Jan and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {One-step synthesis of amphiphilic, double thermoresponsive diblock copolymers}, series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, volume = {45}, journal = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society}, number = {10}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0024-9297}, doi = {10.1021/ma300285y}, pages = {4158 -- 4165}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The copolymerization of an excess of a functionalized styrene monomer, 4-vinylbenzyl methoxytetrakis(oxyethylene) ether, with various N-substituted maleimides yields tapered diblock copolymers in a one-step procedure, when applying reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) methods, such as ATRP and RAFT. The particular chemical structure of the diblock copolymers prepared results in reversible temperature-responsive two-step aggregation behavior in dilute aqueous solution. In this way, a double hydrophilic block copolymer is transformed step by step into an amphiphilic macrosurfactant, and finally into a double hydrophobic copolymer, as followed by turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering. Copolymers in which the maleimide repeat units bear short hydrophobic side chains are freely water-soluble at low temperature and form micellar aggregates above their cloud point. Further heating above the phase transition temperature of the second block results in secondary aggregation. Copolymers with maleimides that bear strongly hydrophobic substituents undergo two thermally induced aggregation steps upon heating, too, but show in addition intramolecular hydrophobic association in water already at low temperatures, similar to the behavior of polysoaps.}, language = {en} } @article{FandrichBullerWischerhoffetal.2012, author = {Fandrich, Artur and Buller, Jens and Wischerhoff, Erik and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Lisdat, Fred}, title = {Electrochemical detection of the thermally induced phase transition of a thin stimuli-responsive polymer film}, series = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, volume = {13}, journal = {ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley-VCH}, address = {Weinheim}, issn = {1439-4235}, doi = {10.1002/cphc.201100924}, pages = {2020 -- 2023}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{MiasnikovaLaschewsky2012, author = {Miasnikova, Anna and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Influencing the phase transition temperature of poly(methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate) by molar mass, end groups, and polymer architecture}, series = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, volume = {50}, journal = {Journal of polymer science : A, Polymer chemistry}, number = {16}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0887-624X}, doi = {10.1002/pola.26116}, pages = {3313 -- 3323}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The easily accessible, but virtually overlooked monomer methoxy diethylene glycol acrylate was polymerized by the RAFT method using monofunctional, difunctional, and trifunctional trithiocarbonates to afford thermoresponsive polymers exhibiting lower critical solution temperature-type phase transitions in aqueous solution. The use of the appropriate RAFT agent allowed for the preparation and systematic variation of polymers with defined molar mass, end-groups, and architecture, including amphiphilic diblock, symmetrical triblock, and triarm star-block copolymers, containing polystyrene as permanently hydrophobic constituent. The cloud points (CPs) of the various polymers proved to be sensitive to all varied parameters, namely molar mass, nature, and number of the end-groups, and the architecture, up to relatively high molar masses. Thus, CPs of the polymers can be adjusted within the physiological interesting range of 2040 degrees C. Remarkably, CPs increased with the molar mass, even when hydrophilic end groups were attached to the polymers.}, language = {en} } @article{deMolinaHerfurthLaschewskyetal.2012, author = {de Molina, Paula Malo and Herfurth, Christoph and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Gradzielski, Michael}, title = {Structure and dynamics of networks in mixtures of hydrophobically modified telechelic multiarm polymers and oil in water microemulsions}, series = {Langmuir}, volume = {28}, journal = {Langmuir}, number = {45}, publisher = {American Chemical Society}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0743-7463}, doi = {10.1021/la303673a}, pages = {15994 -- 16006}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The structural and dynamical properties of oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsions (MEs) modified with telechelic polymers of different functionality (e.g., number of hydrophobically modified arms, f) were studied by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), and high frequency rheology measurements as a function of the polymer architecture and the amount of added polymer. For this purpose, we employed tailor-made hydrophobically end-capped poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) star polymers of a variable number of endcaps, f, of different alkyl chain lengths, synthesized by the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer method. The addition of the different end-capped polymers to an uncharged ME of O/W droplets leads to a large enhancement of the viscosity of the systems. SANS experiments show that the O/W ME droplets are not changed upon the addition of the polymer, and its presence only changes the interdroplet interactions. The viscosity increases largely upon addition of a polymer, and this enhancement depends pronouncedly on the alkyl length of the hydrophobic sticker as it controls the residence time in a ME droplet. Similarly, the high frequency modulus G(0) depends on the amount of added polymer but not on the sticker length. G(0) was found to be directly proportional to f - 1. The onset of network formation is shifted to a lower number of stickers per ME droplet with increasing f, and the network formation becomes more effective. Thus, the dynamics of network formation are controlled by the polymer architecture. The effect on the dynamics seen by DLS is even more pronounced. Upon increasing the polymer concentration, slower relaxation modes appear that become especially pronounced with increasing number of arms. The relaxation dynamics are correlated to the rheological relaxation, and both are controlled by the polymer architecture.}, language = {en} }