Evaluation of the equilibrium state and structure of coacervates formed by copolymers-in-block and oppositely charged polymers

• Grant number: 18/25041-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: January 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Watson Loh
• Grantee: Julia Bonesso Sabadini
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/25406-5 - Organizing matter: colloids formed by association of surfactants, polymers and nanoparticles, AP.TEM

Abstract

The literature describes many studies on complex systems formed by the interaction of opposite electrical charges species in solution, which are called coacervates. These structures may be formed by the combination of two polyelectrolytes with different charges, or polyelectrolytes and ionic surfactants, as well as between block-copolymers consisting of hydrophilic and ionic parts with charged species with opposite charges. However, it is still unclear in which conditions these structures represent equilibrium systems. In other words, situations in which morphology, phase size, composition, etc., of the structures are no longer dependent on the preparation procedure. This is the central point that will be investigated in this project. For this, coacervates consisting of copolymers containing a hydrophilic neutral block and another anionic, such as polyacrylamide-b-poly (acrylic acid), (PAmx-b-PAy) and poly (ethylene oxide)-b-poly(acrylic acid), (PEOx-b-PAy), will be neutralized by polyanions such as PDADMAC, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride, and PEI (polyethyleneimine), of different molar masses. The systems will be prepared in different concentration of the components. It is expected that ordered or liquid-crystalline phase can be obtained by preparing formulations in a wide range of concentrations. To achieve these objectives, the following characterization techniques will be used: visual inspection of the number of phases, light scattering measurements (DLS and SLS), low-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), diffusion and depletion of deuterium peaks, in NMR experiments and electron microscopy (including cryogenic, cryo-TEM). (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

OTONI, CAIO G.; QUEIROS, MARCOS V. A.; SABADINI, JULIA B.; ROJAS, ORLANDO J.; LOH, WATSON. Charge Matters: Electrostatic Complexation As a Green Approach to Assemble Advanced Functional Materials. ACS OMEGA, v. 5, n. 3, p. 1296-1304, JAN 28 2020. (17/07013-1, 15/25406-5, 18/09099-3, 18/25041-5, 19/00370-9)