Surfactant Assembly Microenvironments

When dispersed in aqneous media, the hydrophobic component constitutes the core while the hydrophilic block corona serves to stabilize the miceUar structure. In contrast to low molar mass surfactants, amphiphilic block copolymers have highly tunable composition and assembly characteristics. The constraints between the core-forming blocks, the interaction between chains in the corona, and the surface energy between the solvent and the core dictate the shape and size of the micellar structures [43]. An important property of amphiphilic block copolymers is the ability to enhance solubility of hydrophobic substances. As with low molar mass surfactants, the hydro-phobic core of the micellar structures formed by amphiphilic block copolymers can serve as a compatible microenvironment for sequestration of water-insoluble compounds. 

---