Micellar-polymer film systems

In a similar manner, several nanoparticles have been produced in the presence of block copolymers in selective solvents so as to form micelles that encapsulate particles such as metal salts. Consequently, these micelles are chemically converted to finely disperse colloidal hybrid polymer/metal particles with interesting catalytic, non-linear optic, semiconductor and magnetic properties [1, 20]. Finally, another area of potential application of amphiphilic block copolymers is that involving surface modification through the adsorption of block copolymer micelles or film formation. The use of a suitable micellar system allows for the alteration of specific surface characteristics, such as wetting and biocompatibility, or even enables the dispersion and stabilisation of solid pigment particles in a liquid or solid phase [1, 178]. 

At relatively low polymer adsorption levels, oscillatory force profiles similar to those observed for micellar solutions are also seen in polyelectrolyte-containing systems. As with micellar structuring, these oscillations originate from an inhomogenous density distribution of polymer (or polymer/surfactant complexes) within the film. Furthermore, the characteristic length-scale of the oscillatory forces indicate that this structuring is controlled by electrostatic interactions. To date, no complete theory describing this phenomenon exists ... 

In contrast to low molecular mass surfactants [303-306], there are hardly any examples of polymeric systems going from unimers to micelles. Even more, it becomes obvious that electrochemical switching of micellar morphologies is generally rare. Side reactions such as polymer adsorption and film formation on the... 

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