Structural control of polyelectrolyte/microemulsion droplet complexes (PEMECs) with different polyacrylates

• DOI: 10.1039/c8sc04013c
• Publication Date: 2018-10-23T15:54:33Z
• Authors: Miriam Simon; Patrick Krause; Leonardo Chiappisi; Laurence Noirez; Michael Gradzielski
• Keywords: Microemulsion; Sodium polyacrylate; Cationic polymerization

The ionic assembly of oppositely charged polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes (PESCs) is often done with the aim constructing more functional colloids, for instance as advanced delivery systems. However, PESCs are not easily loaded a solubilisate due to intrinsic restrictions such complexes. This question was addressed from different starting point: by employing microemulsion droplets heavily surfactant systems and thereby avoiding potential solubilisation limitations beginning. We investigated mixtures cationic oil-in-water (O/W) sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) determined structure phase behaviour function mixing ratio droplet sizes M w (NaPA). Around an equimolar charge extended precipitate region present, which becomes wider larger increasing NaPA. Static dynamic light scattering (SLS DLS) small-angle neutron (SANS) show formation one-dimensional arrangements polyelectrolyte excess, become elongated less so NaPA excess. What interesting marked sensitivity strength, where already modest increase ∼20 mM leads dissolution work shows that polyelectrolyte/microemulsion (PEMECs) structurally very versatile hybrid systems, combining high loading microemulsions larger-scale structuring induced polymer, markedly extending concept conventional PESCs. type system has been described before highly promising future applications payloads be formulated.