Block Copolymers: Past Successes and Future Challenges

Abstract

Block copolymers are the focus of a great deal of research activity in contemporary macromolecular science. This is attributable to a range of fascinating fundamental issues associated with understanding self‐assembly processes in both solution and in bulk, coupled to an adventitious convergence of substantial progress in synthetic versatility, developments in molecular and structural characterization, understanding of the factors that control phase behavior, and elucidation of the response of copolymer materials to external fields. It is argued that due to the rapid progress in these areas block copolymers now stand on the verge of a new generation of sophisticated materials applications, in which particular nanostructures will play a crucial role. This may be contrasted with the current billion dollar annual market for block copolymer materials, in which no substantial advantage is taken of any particular nanostructure. A variety of persistent challenges are identified that stand between block copolymers and widespread success in novel applications; foremost amongst these are issues concerned with processing.

Recent advances in ring-opening metathesis polymerization, and application to synthesis of functional materials

“…Amphiphilic block copolymers are of interest because of their ability to self-assemble and form nanoscale structures. [67][68][69] When a diblock copolymer is dissolved in a selective solvent, which is good for one block but poor for the other, it associates to form micelles. 70,71 There have been several reports of amino acid-based amphiphile materials, such as pH-sensitive amphiphile vesicles applicable to a drug delivery systems 72 and polyacetylene with leucine pendant groups.…”

Perspectivas atuais para a obtenção controlada de polímeros e sua caracterização

“…Numa segunda vez em que um radical reage com o controlador, este último está ligado à cadeia que CRP facilitam a produção de copolímeros sob medida (dibloco, por exemplo) [11] . Desta forma, a CRP permite, sem a necessidade de fases adicionais, a obtenção de praticamente qualquer morfologia imaginável de (co)polímeros [12][13][14] , sempre com baixa polidispersidade e com a massa molar média desejada, a partir de monômeros facilmente encontrados, tendo como única condição, a priori, serem polimerizáveis pela via radicalar (a princípio todas as substâncias orgânicas que apresentem insaturações ativas).…”

Viscoelastic Properties of Low Molecular Weight Symmetric Poly(styrene-<i>b</i>-2-vinylpyridine)s in the Ordered and Disordered States under Steady Shear Flow

“…Relationships between structures and viscoelastic properties of block copolymers are also summarized in some review articles. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] A brief summary of results related with this paper is as following.…”