Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulation Study on the Micellization and Gelation Behavior of PEO-PPO-PEO Solution

Dissipative particle dynamics(DPD) simulation was used to study the micellization and gelation behavior of triblock copolymer poly (ethylene oxide) -poly (propylene oxide) -poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) in solution. The critical micellization concentration and the critical gelation concentration were obtained for the system at 298 K. The shape of the micelles was spherical as the concentration was below 40% (mass fraction), in accordance with experimental results. Furthermore, the effect of the length of PEO block on micelle shape and gelation behavior was studied. For block copolymer with short length of PEO block, the prolate ellipsoid micelles formed more easily. Moreover, the critical gelation concentration decreased with increasing the length of PEO block