IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,409,432
Granted Patent B2
US 12,409,432 · App. 17/697,148 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Persistent micelle corona chemistry

Inventors: Morgan Stefik (Columbia, SC); Taylor Larison (Cayce, SC)
Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
B01J13/185C08F220/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,409,432
App. No.
17/697,148
Granted
Sep 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of forming persistent micelles is described. Particularly, methods disclosed herein include dissolving a block copolymer in a first solvent to form a dispersion containing unimers or dynamic micelles. Further, a method includes contacting the dispersion with a second solvent forming the persistent micelles. The persistent micelles formed by the method of the present disclosure can be used for controlled delivery of dispersions in organic electronic coatings, paint, or drug delivery applications and can also be used to control the pore size of films that include an oxide, a nitride, a carbide, a metal, or a carbon material.

Claims (17)

1. A method of forming persistent micelles, comprising:

dissolving a block copolymer in a first solvent to form a dispersion containing unimers or dynamic micelles, wherein the block copolymer comprises poly (cyclohexyl methacrylate-b-(diethoxyphosphoryl) methyl methacrylate); and

contacting the dispersion with a second solvent forming the persistent micelles.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprise maintaining a diameter of the persistent micelles while independently adjusting a functional group density of the persistent micelles.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprise maintaining a diameter of the persistent micelles while independently tailoring a Coulombic interaction strength of the persistent micelles.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the block copolymer comprises a core block and a corona block.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the block copolymer has a molar mass between about 20 kg/mol and about 100 kg/mol.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the core block comprises a methacrylate derivative.

7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the corona block comprises a polyphosphonated ester.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first solvent is a non-selective solvent.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first solvent comprises tetrahydrofuran (THF), methylene chloride, chloroform, or a combination thereof.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second solvent comprises acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol water, or a combination thereof.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising contacting the dispersion with a reagent resulting in functionalization of the persistent micelles.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the reagent comprises bromotrimethylsilane (TMSBr), methanol, water or a combination thereof.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the persistent micelles further comprise a mono acid, a diacid, or a combination thereof.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the persistent micelles comprise a zeta potential from about 0 mV to 15 mV.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein average core diameter of the persistent micelles ranges from about 10 nm to about 200 nm.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2023
From: STEFIK, MORGAN; LARISON, TAYLOR
To: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Reel/Frame 063509/0943 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63189381 · May 17, 2021
Related Publication 20220362733A1 · Nov 17, 2022
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