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Updated: May 23, 2026

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Published on: July 3, 2025
Morphology of nematic and smectic vesicles
Xiangjun Xing1, Homin Shin, Mark J Bowick
1Institute of Natural Sciences and Department of Physics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China. xxing@sjtu.edu.cn
Block copolymer vesicles with internal liquid-crystalline order exhibit diverse shapes, including novel faceted tetrahedral forms. This research models how internal structure and defects dictate vesicle morphology, opening doors for new nano-carriers.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Soft Matter Physics
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Block copolymer vesicles self-assemble into complex structures.
- Liquid-crystalline side chains introduce internal order within vesicles.
- Vesicle morphology is influenced by internal structure, shape, and topological defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a theoretical model for block copolymer vesicles with internal nematic/smectic order.
- To investigate the relationship between internal order, defects, and vesicle morphology.
- To explore the formation of novel low free energy morphologies.
Main Methods:
- Development of a minimal theoretical model.
- Application of analytic and numerical approaches.
- Analysis of the interplay between 2D ordering and vesicle shape.
Main Results:
- Identified low free energy morphologies including nano-fibers, ellipsoidal, cylindrical, and faceted tetrahedral vesicles.
- Demonstrated the crucial role of topological defects in morphology determination.
- Highlighted the tetrahedral vesicle as a unique faceted liquid-crystalline membrane structure.
Conclusions:
- The theoretical model successfully predicts diverse vesicle morphologies driven by internal liquid-crystalline order.
- Faceted vesicles, particularly the tetrahedral form, represent a significant finding.
- These findings pave the way for designing supramolecular structures and advanced nano-carriers.
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