Quasi-block copolymer design of quaternized derivatives of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate): Investigations on thermo-induced self-assembly

•Quaternized monomer is polymerized into tailored thermoresponsive quasi-block copolymers.•Obtained quasi-block copolymers show thermo-induced self-assembly in aqueous solutions.•Thermal transitions are tuned as a function of Mn, composition of quaternized monomer and temperature.•Quaternized cationic sites favor the formation of metastable nanostructures.•A material which is practically an homopolymer can show self-assembly properties.