Dilution-induced spheres-to-vesicles morphological transition in micelles from block copolymer/surfactant complexes

Abstract

Metastable spherical micelles have been obtained by mixing in chloroform poly(styrene)-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymers with perfluorinated surfactants bearing a carboxylic acid head. Dilution of these initial micelles triggers a morphological reorganization resulting in the formation of more stable vesicles. This transition can be advantageously used to encapsulate molecules of interest.