Characterization of triblock copolymer E67S15E67-surfactant interactions

The interactions between the triblock copolymer E67S15E67 and the surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) have been investigated by static and dynamic light scattering, and isothermal titration calorimetry. Upon the addition of the surfactant, changes in the physico-chemical properties of the micellised block copolymer take place due to interactions between the surfactant and the copolymer. Mixed micelles of copolymer and surfactant are formed and the size of the mixed micelles changes depending on the amount of SDS as seen by DLS data. These results are confirmed with ITC measurements. Comparison of the behavior displayed by the triblock copolymer in the presence of SDS is also compared with that of the structurally related diblock copolymer, S15E63.