Study of the lamellar and micellar phases of pluronic F127: A molecular dynamics approach

Abstract

In this work, we analyzed the behavior of Pluronic F127 through molecular dynamics simulations at the coarse-grain level, focusing on the micellar and lamellar phases. To this aim, two initial polymer conformations were considered, S-shape and U-shape, for both simulated phases. Through the simulations, we were able to examine the structural and mechanical properties that are difficult to access through experiments. Since no transition between S and U shapes was observed in our simulations, we inferred that all single co-polymers had memory of their initial configuration. Nevertheless, most copolymers had a more complex amorphous structure, where hydrophilic beads were part of the lamellar-like core. Finally, an overall comparison of the micellar a lamellar phases showed that the lamellar thickness was in the same order of magnitude as the micelle diameter (approx. 30 nm). Therefore, high micelle concentration could lead to lamellar formation. With this new information, we could understand lamellae as orderly packed micelles.