# Micellization Studies of Block Copolymers of Poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) and n-Alkyl-Substituted Poly(vinyl esters) in Tetrahydrofuran

## TL;DR

This paper studies how block copolymers form micelles in tetrahydrofuran, focusing on the influence of different polymer blocks.

## Contribution

The study introduces new insights into the micellization behavior of PNVP-b-PVEs block copolymers in THF.

## Key findings

- Static and dynamic light scattering revealed micellar properties and association degrees.
- CONTIN analysis provided details on association equilibria in THF solutions.
- The chemical structure of the PVE block significantly affects the association process.

## Abstract

The association behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and several vinyl esters (Ves) (PNVP-b-PVEs), as exemplified by vinyl butyrate (VBu), vinyl decanoate (VDc), and vinyl stearate (VSt), was studied in tetrahydrofuran (THF), which serves as the selective solvent for the PVE blocks. Static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were adopted as the tools to investigate micellar properties and acquire information regarding the degree of association, the hydrodynamic radii, and the shape of the aggregates. In addition, CONTIN analysis provided insights concerning the association equilibria in THF solutions. The effect of the chemical structure of the corona-forming PVE block on the association process was investigated. Finally, the experimental results were compared with those obtained in previous studies describing the micellization properties of block copolymers consisting of PNVP and polymethacrylate blocks in the same selective solvent.