Form factors of block copolymer micelles with spherical, ellipsoidal and cylindrical cores

Abstract

The form factor of a micelle model with a spherical core and Gaussian polymer chains attached to the surface has previously been calculated analytically by Pedersen and Gerstenberg [(1996). Macromolecules 29, 1363–1665.]. Non-penetration of the chains into the core region was mimicked in the analytical calculations by moving the center of mass of the chains R g away from the surface of the core, where R g is the radius of gyration of the chains. In the present work, the calculations have been extended to micelles with ellipsoidal and cylindrical cores. Non-penetration was also for these taken into account by moving the center of mass of the chains R g away from the core surface. In addition results for worm-like micelles, disk-shape micelles and micelles with a vesicle shape are given.