Using polyelectrolyte block copolymers to tune nanostructure assembly

This review presents an overview of the recent developments in polyelectrolyte block copolymer self-assembly, including charged block copolymers and random copolymers as well as polypeptidic block copolymers. Different methods for controlling micellar structures in solution are presented. In addition, the use of polyelectrolyte copolymers as responsive hydrogels, in polyelectrolyte complexes, and in layer-by-layer assemblies will be discussed. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.