Block copolymer self-assembly for nanophotonics

Abstract

The ability to control and modulate the interaction of light with matter is crucial to achieve desired optical properties including reflection, transmission, and selective polarization. Photonic materials rely upon precise control over the composition and morphology to establish periodic interactions with light on the wavelength and sub-wavelength length scales. Supramolecular assembly provides a natural solution allowing the encoding of a desired 3D architecture into the chemical building blocks and assembly conditions. The compatibility with solution processing and low-overhead manufacturing is a significant advantage over more complex approaches such as lithography or colloidal assembly. Here we review recent advances on photonic architectures derived from block copolymers and highlight the influence and complexity of processing pathways. Notable examples that have emerged from this unique synthesis platform include Bragg reflectors, antireflective coatings, and chiral metamaterials. We further predict expanded photonic capabilities and limits of these approaches in light of future developments of the field.

Targeted osteosarcoma chemotherapy using RGD peptide-installed doxorubicin-loaded biodegradable polymeric micelle

“…Moreover, DSC analyses showed glass transition temperature (T g ) is ca. À16 C and À17 C for PEG-PTMC and RGD-PEG-PTMC, respectively (Table 1), indicating that block polymers is amorphous at room temperature, which play a vital role on self-assembly of amphiphilic block polymer [27]. These results confirmed successful synthesis of PEG-PTMC and RGD-PEG-PTMC block polymers with controlled molecular weight and ideal distribution.…”

A colloidoscope of colloid-based porous materials and their uses

“…Self-assembly of colloids creates nanoscale features simply, inexpensively, and quickly over large areas from the bottom up by taking advantage of molecular interactions that lead to the assembly of nanoscale building blocks. 19 Block copolymers can also be used, to achieve features below 100 nm, 20,21 whereas colloids are in the range between 100 nm and 1000 nm (1 µm). Colloids can be used to make colloid-based porous materials (CBPM), which provide the ability to control important aspects of the structure including porosity and order ( Figure 1B).…”

Controlling the shape of Janus nanostructures through supramolecular modification of ABC terpolymer bulk morphologies

“…In that regard, block copolymers are particularly interesting, as they are known to spontaneously microphase separate into a variety of self-assembled nanostructures in the range of 10-100 nm [1]. Bulk morphologies have thus become increasingly relevant, e.g., for the bottom-up construction of nanoporous membranes [2][3][4], as templates for energy conversion [5][6][7][8], photonics [9], and as lithographic masks [10].…”