Interpolyelectrolyte complexes of dynamic multicompartment micelles.

Dynamic core-shell-shell-corona micelles are formed between two oppositely charged block copolymer systems. Preformed polybutadiene-block-poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium)-block-poly(methacrylic acid) (PB-P2VPq-PMAA) block terpolymer micelles with a soft polybutadiene core, an interpolyelectrolyte complex (IPEC) shell made out of poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium) and poly(methacrylic acid), and a negatively charged PMAA corona were mixed in different ratios at high pH with positively charged poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (P2VPq-PEO) diblock copolymers. Under these conditions, mixing results in the formation of a second IPEC shell onto the PB-P2VPq-PMAA precursor micelles, surrounded by a PEO corona. The resulting multicompartmented IPECs exhibit dynamic behavior, highlighted by a structural relaxation within a period of 10 days, investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), and scanning force microscopy (SFM). After a short mixing time of 1 h, the IPECs exhibit a star-shaped structure, whereas after 10 days, spherical core-shell-shell-corona objects could be observed. To further increase complexity and versatility of the presented systems, the in situ formation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in both the precursor micelles and the equilibrated IPEC was tested. For the PB-P2VPq-PMAA micelles, NP formation resulted in narrowly distributed Au NPs located within the PMAA shell, whereas for the core-shell-shell-corona IPEC, the Au NPs were confined within the IPEC shell and shielded from the outside through the PEO corona.