Dynamic Assembly of Block-Copolymers

Abstract

Block copolymers (BCs) are well-known building blocks for the creation of a large variety of nanostructured materials or objects through a dynamic assembly stage which can be either autonomous or guided by an external force. Today's nanotechnologies require sharp control of the overall architecture from the nanoscale to the macroscale. BCs enable this dynamic assembly through all the scales, from few aggregated polymer chains to large bulk polymer materials. Since the discovery of controlled methods to polymerize monomers with different functionalities, a broad diversity of BCs exists, giving rise to many different nanoobjects and nanostructured materials. This chapter will explore the potentialities of block copolymer chains to be assembled through dynamic interactions either in solution or in bulk.

Reproducible Access to Tunable Morphologies via the Self-Assembly of an Amphiphilic Diblock Copolymer in Water

“…Block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly is a versatile method for the production of a wide range of morphologies, including SPH, WLN, VES, and many other complex nanostructures from the same material (i.e., the same polymer). , Crew-cut nanoaggregates with different morphologies are prepared by first dissolving a highly asymmetric amphiphilic BCP in a common solvent and then adding water to the solution to induce self-assembly or aggregation of the copolymer segments . By varying the self-assembly conditions (e.g., organic solvent used, polymer concentration, water addition rate, etc.…”

Effect of Block Copolymer Architecture on Morphology of Self-Assembled Aggregates in Solution

“…Self-assembly in solutions of linear block co- and terpolymers has been very much in the focus of theoretical and experimental research in the past decade. − This interest was primarily motivated by applications of polymer self-organization in fabrication of functional materials and nanoscale devices. Among the examples are vector systems for controlled delivery and release of biologically active molecules, nanocatalytic systems, molecular templates, etc.…”

“Intelligente” Biomaterialien durch Selbstorganisation von Hybridhydrogelen

“…B. in ABA‐Blockcopolymeren auftreten, in denen ein hydrophiler Block B von zwei hydrophoben Blöcken A eingeschlossen wird 79. 80 Die Entwicklung von Hydrogel‐bildenden Polymeren auf Grundlage von Erkennungsmotiven aus der Natur liefert Hilfsmittel für das Design und die Synthese von genau definierten dreidimensionalen Strukturen 81. 82 Die Möglichkeit, die Selbstorganisation durch ein externes Signal (Reizempfindlichkeit) auszulösen, ist zur Kontrolle der Endstruktur sehr wichtig 83.…”