Patchy multi-compartment micelles are formed by direct dissolution of an ABC triblock copolymer in water

Patchy multi-compartment micelles are formed on direct dissolution of a primary amine-based triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(epsilon-caprolactone)-b-poly(2-aminoethyl methacrylate), PEO-b-PCL-b-PAMA, in water, with PCL chains forming the micelle cores and the PEO and PAMA chains forming phase-segregated patchy or hemispherical coronas. By selectively silicifying the PCL cores with tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), the phase-separated character of these micelles is revealed by transmission electron microscopy.