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Depolymerization-Induced Morphological Transformation
Nethmi De Alwis Watuthanthrige1, Victoria Lohmann1, Viviane Lutz-Bueno2
1Laboratory for Sustainable Polymers, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 5, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|January 26, 2026
Summary
This study introduces depolymerization-induced morphological transformation (DIMT) for controlling copolymer nanoparticle shape. This method offers new avenues for chemical recycling beyond monomer recovery.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Recycling
Background:
- Depolymerization is key for vinyl polymer chemical recycling.
- Current methods primarily focus on monomer recovery, limiting broader applications.
- Opportunities exist to leverage depolymerization for advanced material transformations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Introduce depolymerization-induced morphological transformation (DIMT) as a novel methodology.
- Control the shape evolution of sterically stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles.
- Investigate the mechanisms of morphological changes during selective polymer degradation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized selective degradation of a methacrylic core-forming block within diblock copolymers.
- Employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphological analysis.
- Applied small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to understand structural evolution.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated sequential morphological transformations: vesicles to worms to spheres.
- Developed a predictive (pseudo)phase diagram for copolymer morphology.
- Successfully applied DIMT to irreversible degelation of diblock copolymer worm gels.
Conclusions:
- DIMT provides a modular approach to control copolymer morphology via depolymerization.
- This methodology expands the scope of chemical recycling beyond monomer recovery.
- DIMT offers new strategies for regulating material properties and creating advanced polymer architectures.
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