Expanding the Scope of Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly: Recent Advances and New Horizons

Abstract

Over the past decade or so, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has become a versatile method for rational preparation of concentrated block copolymer nanoparticles with a diverse set of morphologies. Much of the PISA literature has focused on the preparation of well-defined linear block copolymers by using linear macromolecular chain transfer agents (macro-CTAs) with high chain transfer constants. In this review, a recent process is highlighted from an unusual angle that has expanded the scope of PISA including i) synthesis of block copolymers with nonlinear architectures (e.g., star block copolymer, branched block copolymer) by PISA, ii) in situ synthesis of blends of polymers by PISA, and iii) utilization of macro-CTAs with low chain transfer constants in PISA. By highlighting these important examples, new insights into the research of PISA and future impact these methods will have on polymer and colloid synthesis are provided.

Synthesis of low glass transition temperature worms comprising a poly(styrene-stat-n-butyl acrylate) core segment via polymerization-induced self-assembly in RAFT aqueous emulsion polymerization

“…Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] has recently attracted major interest for synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymer nanoparticles with complex morphologies at high solid content (up to 50%). Although PISA can in principle be conducted using any reversible deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) technique, reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) 12 mediated PISA is by far the most commonly used method.…”

Nano-dimensional spheres and worms as fillers in polymer nanocomposites: effect of filler morphology

“…[11][12][13] Polymerization induced self-assembly (PISA) mediated by reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization is a convenient approach for synthesis of polymer nanofibers (worms). [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Rieger's group used PISAderived worms to reinforce waterborne acrylic films and observed that the addition of 10 wt% worms improved the film properties significantly, 21 revealing the potential of PISAderived worms as reinforcing nanofillers. However, further investigations are necessary to understand the influence of PISA-derived worms on the resulting nanocomposites and to thus fulfil the potential of these novel materials.…”

Preparation and applications of the polymeric micelle by polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA)

“…Based on the overall research, PISA was proved to be an excellent strategy to prepare block copolymer with different morphologies. Currently, the utilization of PISA has expanded, for instance, a nonlinear architecture synthesis of block copolymer and the utilization of macro-CTAs along with low chain transfer constants [47]. By using macro-CTAs along with low chain transfer constants in PISA will often lead to a broad molar mass distribution of block copolymers.…”