MICELLIZATION AND GELATION OF TRIBLOCK COPOLYMER OF ETHYLENE-OXIDE AND SIGMA-CAPROLACTONE, CLNEMCLN, IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

Three triblock copolymers of ethylene oxide and epsilon-caprolactone, nominally CL2E90CL2, CL4E90CL4 and CL6E90CL6 have been prepared and characterised. The micellar and surface properties in aqueous solution of the copolymers with CL-block lengths of four and six were investigated as a function of temperature and concentration using surface tension and static and dynamic light scattering techniques. Reversible gelation on cooling solutions of CL6E90CL6 was observed at critical concentrations and temperatures ranging from 130 g kg-1 at 25-degrees-C to 300 g kg-1 at 80-degrees-C.