Block Copolymer Nanocontainers

Abstract

Using cell dynamics computer simulation, we perform a systematic study of thin block copolymer films around a nanoparticle. Lamellar-, cylinder-, and sphere-forming block copolymers are investigated with respect to different film thicknesses, particle radii, and boundary conditions at the film interfaces. The obtained structures include standing lamellae and cylinders, "onions", cylinder "knitting balls", "golf ball", layered spherical, "virus"-like and mixed morphologies with T-junctions and U-type defects. The kinetics of the structure formation and difference with planar thin films are discussed. Our simulations suggest that novel porous nanocontainers can be formed by the coating of a sacrificial nanobead by a block copolymer layer with a well-controlled nanostructure. In addition, first scanning force microscopy experiments on a model system reveal surface structures similar to those predicted by our simulations.

Synthesis and Characterization of Star-Shaped Porphyrin-cored Poly(Glutamic Acid) Conjugates as Highly Efficient Photosensitizers

“…Compared to the DLS sample, dehydration and subsequent collapse of the polymer chain for TEM sample could lead to a smaller diameter. Similar difference in size as a result of different measuring techniques was also made in other papers [25][26][27]. The electronic absorption and basic photophysical properties for SPPLGA were characterized in DMF by UV-vis spectroscopy (Fig.…”

Nanostructures and Nanostructured Networks for Smart Drug Delivery

“…Polymersomes can also be designed to behave in a similar way, starting from copolymers with blocks that have stimulus-dependent solubility and that can lead to the disintegration of the polymersome or to the creation of pores in the layers when the stimulus appears (Figure 18.7) [132,140]. Furthermore, the morphology of the micelles and polymersomes could be tailored to obtain novel nanostructures, including cylinders, ''onions,'' ''knitting ball,'' ''golf ball,'' or ''virus''-like particles, not explored yet as drug carriers [141].…”

Modeling of Block Copolymer/Colloid Hybrid Composite Materials

“…which will contribute to polymer motion as prescribed in Equation 6. As opposed to previous approaches, [16][17][18] we describe individual colloids through a soft interaction.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that this assumption can lead to experimental relevant results. [5,6] Since the polymer is treated in terms of its local monomer concentration we introduce a free energy functional which will provide…”