(174e) Molecular Thermodynamics of Branched Block Copolymer Micelles

Amphiphilic block copolymer molecules have been shown to form large cylindrical micelles, referred to as wormlike micelles. Under certain conditions, the wormlike micelles transform into branched micelles with the degree of branching increasing from a system where the branched micelles have individual kinetic identities to one in which the branched micelles form an interconnected network. We develop a quantitative treatment of branched micelles formation to establish the conditions under which branching may be initiated and to identify the molecular parameters that determine the extent of branching and network formation in the micellar system. We further extend the treatment to incorporate hydrocarbon solubilizate molecules as a way to control the conditions of formation of branches and micelle networks.