| Polymerized (CXH2X+1)trimethylammonium 4-vinylbenzoate (CXTVB) forms polymer/surfactant aggregates with properties that are unique for solubilized polyelectrolytes, including high aqueous solubility, temperature and concentration stability, and a pH controlled viscosity. In addition, the CXTVB system represents the first use of a worm-like micelle template as the starting point for monomer ordering in a polymerization. This thesis contains an overview of the synthesis and resulting properties of this novel aggregate system. The dimensions of these rod-like aggregates are shown to be easily controlled, with the radius determined by the micelle template used and the length determined by polymerization conditions. The solution properties of this system are elucidated, including their phase behavior and amphiphilic nature, and the structure of the polymer/surfactant aggregates is exactly determined. Finally, the importance of the carboxylic acid chemistry of the monomer to the reaction kinetics, solution properties, and overall structure is determined. Most importantly, this work shows how a novel polymerization approach can be used to generate a robust multi-phase system. |
