Solutions of polystyrene and poly(dimethyl siloxane) in chloroform are compatibilized by the addition of
a small amount of a star polymer consisting of a g-cyclodextrin core and polystyrene arms. Compatibilization
is visually observed when turbid PDMS/PS emulsions become clear upon addition of the CDstar
molecule. The mechanism of compatibilization involves threading of the CD-core by PDMS and
solubilization of the resulting ‘‘slip-ring graft copolymer’’ via the PS star arms. This process breaks up the
undissolved PDMS domains into smaller, more stable micelles. Evidence for threading of the CD-core by
PDMS is found using ROESY 2D-NMR. Intrinsic viscosity measurements for the compatibilized solutions
show behavior similar to conventional graft copolymers which form micelles in a selective solvent.
Dynamic light scattering measurements suggest that the micelle size is approximately 20 nm. The effects
of varying the PDMS molecular weight, PDMS concentration and CD-star concentration are studied.