Preparation and phase segregation of block copolymer nanotube multiblocks

Different nanotubes were prepared from two triblock copolymers. Chemistry was performed on the nanotubes so that one type contained amino terminal groups and the other bore carboxyl terminal groups. The amino and carboxyl groups were reacted by amidization to join the nanotubes head to tail to yield nanotube multiblocks. The block copolymer nanotube multiblocks (CONATUBLOCs) may be viewed as a macroscopic counterpart of block copolymers. Like block copolymers, the different blocks of the CONATUBLOCs segregated from one another not only in a block-selective solvent mixture but also in the solid state.