Probing the phase diagram of PolyIon Complex micelles using small angle x-ray scattering

We need to learn about the mechanism of formation and organisation of PolyIon Complex (PIC) micelles currently used as templating agents for the synthesis of ordered mesoporous silica materials. PIC micelles are formed by electrostatic complexation between a diblock copolymer, with one block charged, and an oppositely charged polyelectrolyte. Small angle x-ray scattering will be used to obtain the phase diagram of PIC micelles. Our goal is to study the shape and size of the PIC micelles at low concentration, describe the interactions arising at intermediate concentration and characterise the mesophases formed at high concentration, and at various temperatures and pH. Particularly, we are interested in unravelling the influence of the architecture of the neutral block of the copolymer (by studying a linear neutral block or a comb-type one) and of the length of the polyelectrolyte on the shape and size of micelles, but also the type of mesophase achievable.