Redox-controlled micellization of organometallic block copolymers

Polystyrene-block-polyferrocenylsilane (PS-b-PFS) diblock copolymers were stoichiometrically oxidized in solution using salts of the one-electron oxidant tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl. Due to a redox-induced polarity change for the PFS block, self-assembly into well-defined spherical micelles occurs. The micelles are composed of a core of partially oxidized PFS segments and a corona of PS. When the micellar solutions were treated with the reducing agent decamethylcobaltocene, the spherical micelles disassemble and regenerate unassociated and pristine PS-b-PFS free chains.