Ordered structures of small numbers of nanorods induced by semiflexible star polymers

The ordered structures of nanorods (NRs) in the semiflexible star polymer/NR mixtures are explored by employing molecular dynamics simulation. The structures of small numbers of NRs can be well controlled by varying the stiffness of semiflexible star polymers. At a moderate binding energy between star polymers and NRs, four completely different structures of small numbers of NRs are observed, including that the side-to-side hexagonal aggregation structures of NRs for flexible star polymers, the partly parallel aggregation structures of NRs and the end-to-end contact parallel aggregation structures of NRs for semiflexible star polymers, and the partial dispersion of NRs for rigid star polymers. Helical conformations of semiflexible star polymers binding with NRs are responsible for the formation of the end-to-end contact parallel aggregation structures for small numbers of NRs. This investigation may provide a possible pathway to develop ''smart'' medium to construct novel materials with high performance.