Synthesis and tensioactive properties of PEO-b-polyphosphate copolymers

S. Vanslambrouck, B. Clement, R. Riva, L. H. Koole, D. G. M. Molin, G. Broze, P. Lecomte, C. Jerome*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-b-polyphosphate copolymers made of hydrophilic PEO and hydrophobic polyphosphates are amphiphilic copolymers prone to self-assemble in water into nanoparticles. In this work, nanoparticles are obtained by the self-assembly of PEO-b-polyphosphate copolymers in water in the absence of any organic co-solvent whatever the length of the pendant alkyl chain (between 4 and 7 carbon atoms) of the polyphosphate block. Remarkably, this solvent-free process remains efficient even for the most hydrophobic polyphosphate blocks. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) of the block copolymers was determined by pyrene probe fluorescence. Finally, the efficiency of these copolymer surfactants to decrease the air-water interface was measured by air-bubble tensiometry.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27330-27337
JournalRSC Advances
Volume5
Issue number35
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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