Mechanistic study of the formation of fiber-like micelles with a π-conjugated oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) core.

We propose a self-assembly mechanism in which short semi-crystalline rod-like micelles form upon cooling, accompanied by small amorphous aggregates. Unimers that dissociate from these aggregates subsequently deposit on the growing ends of the core-crystalline micelles. We also find that the length of the PNIPAM block affects the elongation kinetics of OPV-b-PNIPAM.