Analysis on the structure of amphiphilic diblock copolymer in the solution state using small angle X-ray scattering

The structure of poly[styrene-6-(4-vinylpyridine)](PS-b-P4VP) in the solution state was studied using small angle X-ray scattering, GIFT and DECON. The p(r) at the room temperature is for typical cylindrical shape with the diameter of 19nm and those at the temperatures higher than 60°C are for typical spherical shape with diameter of 20nm. The cylindrical micelle changed to the spherical one with heating the solution and the whole structure become the spherical one after 60°C. The continuous change In small angle X-ray scattering during heating may be due to the continuous change of the cylindrical micelle into the spherical one. The gold particle can be loaded into the core of the micelle by protonating P4VP by HAuCl₄. The p(r) was a bimodal curve which is due to the visible core-shell structure In X-ray scattering. The core-shell structure could be determined from the ρ(r) with the dimensions of the core and shell, which were well matched with the observed data from TEM.