TY - JOUR A1 - Hechenbichler, Michelle A1 - Laschewsky, Andre A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Poly(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)acrylamide), a thermoresponsive non-ionic polymer combining the amide and the ethyleneglycolether motifs JF - Colloid and polymer science N2 - Poly(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)acrylamide) (PbMOEAm) featuring two classical chemical motifs from non-ionic water-soluble polymers, namely, the amide and ethyleneglycolether moieties, was synthesized by reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerization. This tertiary polyacrylamide is thermoresponsive exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type phase transition. A series of homo- and block copolymers with varying molar masses but low dispersities and different end groups were prepared. Their thermoresponsive behavior in aqueous solution was analyzed via turbidimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The cloud points (CP) increased with increasing molar masses, converging to 46 degrees C for 1 wt% solutions. This rise is attributed to the polymers' hydrophobic end groups incorporated via the RAFT agents. When a surfactant-like strongly hydrophobic end group was attached using a functional RAFT agent, CP was lowered to 42 degrees C, i.e., closer to human body temperature. Also, the effect of added salts, in particular, the role of the Hofmeister series, on the phase transition of PbMOEAm was investigated, exemplified for the kosmotropic fluoride, intermediate chloride, and chaotropic thiocyanate anions. A pronounced shift of the cloud point of about 10 degrees C to lower or higher temperatures was observed for 0.2 M fluoride and thiocyanate, respectively. When PbMOEAm was attached to a long hydrophilic block of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAm), the cloud points of these block copolymers were strongly shifted towards higher temperatures. While no phase transition was observed for PDMAm-b-pbMOEAm with short thermoresponsive blocks, block copolymers with about equally sized PbMOEAm and PDMAm blocks underwent the coil-to-globule transition around 60 degrees C. KW - polyacrylamide KW - water-soluble polymers KW - responsive systems KW - lower KW - critical solution temperature KW - polymer amphiphile Y1 - 2020 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-020-04701-9 SN - 0303-402X SN - 1435-1536 VL - 299 IS - 2 SP - 205 EP - 219 PB - Springer CY - Berlin; Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Yalcinkaya, Hacer A1 - Bressel, Katharina A1 - Lindner, Peter A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Controlled formation of vesicles with added styrene and their fixation by polymerization JF - Journal of colloid and interface science N2 - Hypothesis: An effective way for fixating vesicle structures is the insertion of monomers and cross-linking agents into their bilayer, and their subsequent polymerization can lead to the formation of polymeric nanocapsules. Particularly attractive here are vesicle systems that form spontaneously well-defined small vesicles, as obtaining such small nanocapsules with sizes below 100 nm is still challenging. Experiments: A spontaneously forming well-defined vesicle system composed of the surfactants TDMAO (tetradecyldimethylamine oxide), Pluronic L35, and LiPFOS (lithium perfluorooctylsulfonate) mixture was used as template for fixation by polymerization. Therefore, styrene monomer was incorporated into the vesicle bilayer and ultimately these structures were fixated by UV induced radical polymerization. Structural alteration of the vesicles upon loading with monomer and the cross-linker as well as the effect of subsequent polymerization in the membrane were investigated in detail by turbidity measurements, dynamic and static light scattering, (DLS, SLS), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Findings: The analysis showed the changes on vesicle structures due to the monomer loading, and that these structures can become permanently fixed by the polymerization process. The potential of this approach to produce well-defined nanocapsules starting from a self-assembled system and following polymerization is critically evaluated. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. KW - Template reaction KW - Zwitterionic surfactant KW - Anionic surfactant KW - Styrene KW - Vesicle KW - Small angle neutron scattering KW - Polymerization Y1 - 2018 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2018.07.097 SN - 0021-9797 SN - 1095-7103 VL - 531 SP - 672 EP - 680 PB - Elsevier CY - San Diego ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Walkowiak, Jacek A1 - Lu, Yan A1 - Gradzielski, Michael A1 - Zauscher, Stefan A1 - Ballauff, Matthias T1 - Thermodynamic analysis of the uptake of a protein in a spherical polyelectrolyte brush JF - Macromolecular rapid communications N2 - A thermodynamic study of the adsorption of Human Serum Albumin (HSA) onto spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPBs) by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is presented. The SPBs are composed of a solid polystyrene core bearing long chains of poly(acrylic acid). ITC measurements done at different temperatures and ionic strengths lead to a full set of thermodynamicbinding constants together with the enthalpies and entropies of binding. The adsorption of HSA onto SPBs is described with a two-step model. The free energy of binding Delta Gb depends only weakly on temperature because of a marked compensation of enthalpy by entropy. Studies of the adsorbed HSA by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrate no significant disturbance in the secondary structure of the protein. The quantitative analysis demonstrates that counterion release is the major driving force for adsorption in a process where proteins become multivalent counterions of the polyelectrolyte chains upon adsorption. A comparison with the analysis of other sets of data related to the binding of HSA to polyelectrolytes demonstrates that the cancellation of enthalpy and entropy is a general phenomenon that always accompanies the binding of proteins to polyelectrolytes dominated by counterion release. KW - Spherical polyelectrolyte brushes KW - proteins KW - ITC KW - thermodynamics KW - enthalpy-entropy compensation (EEC) Y1 - 2019 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.201900421 SN - 1022-1336 SN - 1521-3927 VL - 41 IS - 1 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Herfurth, Christoph A1 - Laschewsky, Andre A1 - Noirez, Laurence A1 - von Lospichl, Benjamin A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Thermoresponsive (star) block copolymers from one-pot sequential RAFT polymerizations and their self-assembly in aqueous solution JF - Polymer : the international journal for the science and technology of polymers N2 - A series of hydrophobically end-capped linear triblock copolymers as well as of three-arm and four-arm star block copolymers was synthesized in a one-pot procedure from N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and N, N-diethylacrylamide (DEA). The sequential reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of these monomers via the R-approach using bi-, tri- and tetrafunctional chain transfer agents (CrAs) bearing hydrophobic dodecyl moieties proceeded in a well-controlled manner up to almost quantitative conversion. Polymers with molar masses up to 150 kDa, narrow molar mass distribution (PDI <= 1.3) and high end group functionality were obtained, which are thermoresponsive in aqueous solution showing a LCST (lower critical solution temperature) transition. The temperature-dependent associative behavior of the polymers was examined using turbidimetry, static and dynamic light scattering (SLS, DLS), and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) for structural analysis. At 25 degrees C, the polymers form weak transient networks, and rather small hydrophobic domains are already present for polymer concentrations of 5 wt%. However, when heating above the LCST transition (35-40 degrees C) of the PDEA blocks, the enhanced formation of hydrophobic domains is observed by means of light and neutron scattering. These domains have a size of about 12-15 nm and must be effectively physically cross-linked as they induce high viscosity for the more concentrated samples. SANS shows that these domains are ordered as evidenced by the appearance of a correlation peak. The copolymer architecture affects in particular the extent of ordering as the four-arm star block copolymer shows much more repulsive interactions compared to the analogous copolymers with a lower number of arms. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. KW - RAFT polymerization KW - Block copolymers KW - Thermosensitivity KW - LCST KW - SANS KW - Light scattering Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2016.09.089 SN - 0032-3861 SN - 1873-2291 VL - 107 SP - 422 EP - 433 PB - Elsevier CY - Oxford ER - TY - JOUR A1 - de Molina, Paula Malo A1 - Ihlefeldt, Franziska Stefanie A1 - Prevost, Sylvain A1 - Herfurth, Christoph A1 - Appavou, Marie-Sousai A1 - Laschewsky, André A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Phase Behavior of Nonionic Microemulsions with Multi-end-capped Polymers and Its Relation to the Mesoscopic Structure JF - Langmuir N2 - The polymer architecture of telechelic or associative polymers has a large impact on the bridging of self-assembled structures. This Work presents: the phase behavior, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) of a nonionic oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion with hydrophobically end-capped multiarm polymers With functionalities f = 2, 3, and 4. For high polymer concentrations and large average interdroplet distance relative to the end-to-end distance of the polymer, d/R-ee; the system phase separates into a dense, highly connected droplet network phase, in equilibrium with a dilute phase. The extent of the two-phase region is larger for polymers With similar length but higher f. The Interaction potential between the droplets in the presence of polymer has both a repulsive and an attractive contribution as a result of the counterbalancing effects of the exclusion by polymer chains and bridging between droplets. This study experimentally demonstrates that higher polymer functionalities induce a stronger attractive force between droplets, which is responsible for a more extended phase separation region., and correlate with lower Collective droplet diffusivities and higher amplitude of the second relaxation time in DLS. The viscosity and the droplet self-diffusion obtained from FCS, however, are dominated by the end-capped chain concentration. Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b00817 SN - 0743-7463 VL - 31 IS - 18 SP - 5198 EP - 5209 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bressel, Katharina A1 - Prevost, Sylvain A1 - Appavou, Marie-Sousai A1 - Tiersch, Brigitte A1 - Koetz, Joachim A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Phase behaviour and structure of zwitanionic mixtures of perfluorocarboxylates and tetradecyldimethylamine oxide-dependence on chain length of the perfluoro surfactant JF - Soft matter N2 - Phase behaviour and the mesoscopic structure of zwitanionic surfactant mixtures based on the zwitterionic tetradecyldimethylamine oxide (TDMAO) and anionic lithium perfluoroalkyl carboxylates have been investigated for various chain lengths of the perfluoro surfactant with an emphasis on spontaneously forming vesicles. These mixtures were studied at a constant total concentration of 50 mM and characterised by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), electric conductivity, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), viscosity, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM). No vesicles are formed for relatively short perfluoro surfactants. The extension of the vesicle phase becomes substantially larger with increasing chain length of the perfluoro surfactant, while at the same time the size of these vesicles increases. Head group interactions in these systems play a central role in the ability to form vesicles, as already protonating 10 mol% of the TDMAO largely enhances the propensity for vesicle formation. The range of vesicle formation in the phase diagram is not only substantially enlarged but also extends to shorter perfluoro surfactants, where without protonation no vesicles would be formed. The size and polydispersity of the vesicles are related to the chain length of the perfluoro surfactant, the vesicles becoming smaller and more monodisperse with increasing perfluoro surfactant chain length. The ability of the mixed systems to form well-defined unilamellar vesicles accordingly can be controlled by the length of the alkyl chain of the perfluorinated surfactant and depends strongly on the charge conditions, which can be tuned easily by pH-variation. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c1sm05618b SN - 1744-683X VL - 7 IS - 23 SP - 11232 EP - 11242 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zehm, Daniel A1 - Laschewsky, André A1 - Heunemann, Peggy A1 - Gradzielski, Michael A1 - Prevost, Sylvain A1 - Liang, Hua A1 - Rabe, Jürgen P. A1 - Lutz, Jean-Francois T1 - Synthesis and self-assembly of amphiphilic semi-brush and dual brush block copolymers in solution and on surfaces JF - Polymer Chemistry N2 - The combination of two techniques of controlled free radical polymerization, namely the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) and the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) techniques, together with the use of a macromonomer allowed the synthesis of symmetrical triblock copolymers, designed as amphiphilic dual brushes. One type of brush was made of poly(n-butyl acrylate) as soft hydrophobic block, i.e. characterized by a low glass transition temperature, while the other one was made of hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The new triblock polymers represent "giant surfactants" according to their molecular architecture. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks microphase separate in the bulk. In aqueous solution, they aggregate into globular micellar aggregates, their size being determined by the length of the stretched polymer molecules. As determined by the combination of various scattering techniques for the dual brush copolymer, a rather compact structure is formed, which is dominated by the large hydrophobic poly(n-butyl acrylate) block. The aggregation number for the dual brush is about 10 times larger than for the "semi-brush" precursor copolymer, due to the packing requirements for the much bulkier hydrophobic core. On mica surfaces the triblock copolymers adsorb with worm-like backbones and stretched out side chains. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c0py00200c SN - 1759-9954 VL - 2 IS - 1 SP - 137 EP - 147 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Prevost, Sylvain A1 - Wattebled, Laurent A1 - Laschewsky, André A1 - Gradzielski, Michael T1 - Formation of monodisperse charged vesicles in mixtures of cationic gemini surfactants and anionic SDS JF - Langmuir N2 - 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. Y1 - 2011 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1021/la103976p SN - 0743-7463 VL - 27 IS - 2 SP - 582 EP - 591 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Koeth, Anja A1 - Tiersch, Brigitte A1 - Appelhans, Dietmar A1 - Gradzielski, Michael A1 - Cölfen, Helmut A1 - Koetz, Joachim T1 - Synthesis of Core-Shell Gold Nanoparticles with Maltose-Modified Poly(Ethyleneimine) JF - Journal of dispersion science and technology N2 - The synthesis of ultrafine gold nanoparticles in presence of maltose-modified hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimines) (PEI) is described. The polymer acted as both a reducing and stabilising agent in the particle formation process. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). The mechanism of nanoparticle formation can be described in two steps. The reduction process of the Au3+ ions located in the inner coil region of the hyperbranched PEI led to the formation of a compact gold core, and is accompanied by a collapse of the polymer coil. Therefore, in the subsequent reduction process a gold-polymer hybrid shell is formed. By using the PEI of higher molar mass, core-shell gold nanoparticles of about 3.6 nm size with a more narrow size distribution and special fluorescence behavior could be synthesized. KW - Gold nanoparticles KW - gold-polymer hybrid shell KW - maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine) Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2010.530084 SN - 0193-2691 VL - 33 IS - 1-3 SP - 52 EP - 60 PB - Taylor & Francis Group CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Herfurth, Christoph A1 - de Molina, Paula Malo A1 - Wieland, Christoph A1 - Rogers, Sarah A1 - Gradzielski, Michael A1 - Laschewsky, André T1 - One-step RAFT synthesis of well-defined amphiphilic star polymers and their self-assembly in aqueous solution JF - Polymer Chemistry N2 - 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. Y1 - 2012 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1039/c2py20126g SN - 1759-9954 VL - 3 IS - 6 SP - 1606 EP - 1617 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry CY - Cambridge ER -