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Controlling Multicompartment Morphologies Using Solvent Conditions and Chemical Modification.
Tina I Löbling1,2, Olli Ikkala2, André H Gröschel3
1Macromolecular Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
ACS Macro Letters
|May 26, 2022
Summary
Researchers have found new ways to control the shapes of complex polymers. Post-polymerization modifications allow for diverse polymer morphologies, like helices and vesicles, from a single polymer type.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Chemistry
- Supramolecular Chemistry
Background:
- Amphiphilic diblock copolymer self-assembly into spheres, cylinders, and vesicles (polymersomes) is well-understood.
- Linear ABC triblock terpolymers exhibit complex morphological behavior, recently explored via synthetic block length variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop facile post-polymerization methods for tailoring ABC triblock terpolymer solution morphologies.
- To demonstrate control over polymer self-assembly through solubility, blending, and chemical modification.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing post-polymerization routes to modify ABC triblock terpolymers.
- Altering block solubility using solvent mixtures.
- Blending terpolymers with homopolymers.
- Employing block-selective chemical reactions.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasibility on polystyrene-block-polybutadiene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (SBM) terpolymers.
- Achieved transformation of patchy spherical micelles into double/triple helices and patchy/striped vesicles.
- Showcased a broad range of morphologies from a single triblock terpolymer.
Conclusions:
- Post-polymerization treatments offer versatile control over ABC triblock terpolymer self-assembly.
- Diverse morphologies can be accessed without synthesizing multiple polymers.
- This approach expands the toolkit for designing complex polymer nanostructures.
