Density functional simulations for self-assembling micellar structures in amphiphilic block copolymer solutions

Abstract

Density functional simulations are performed to study various self-assembling micellar structures in amphiphilic block copolymer solutions. It was shown that onion structures (stacked multilayer structures) are formed when the hydrophilic interaction is weak. Simulation results imply that the onion structures are different from monolayer vesicle structures which is formed when the hydrophilic interaction is rather strong. The difference and similarity between the vesicle structures and onion structures, or between their kinetic formation pathways are discussed. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.