Molecular self‐assembly and morphology induction in high‐performance aromatic phosphonated block copolymers

Abstract

Well‐defined morphology induction in new block copolymers based on high‐performance individual blocks is presented here. Rod‐ and coil‐like polymers such as poly(phenylene oxide) and poly(vinybenzyl phosphonic acid), respectively, contribute to the origin of self‐assembly via phase separation between chemically dissimilar regions. Individual blocks of homopolymer are oriented in a cooperative manner leading to a controlled stacking of macromolecules and evolution of microspheres with a size up to 200 nm in solution. Growth of ordered phase in poly(p‐phenylene oxide) chains are recorded as a result of molecular reorganization guided by poly(vinybenzyl phosphonic acid) segment. The stacking of macromolecules is noticed under atomic force microscope. Influence of the size of poly(phenylene oxide) block on self‐assembly is also examined. Scattering patterns from two‐dimensional wide angle X‐ray scattering verifies the crystalline domains in copolymers. Further end to end and side by side orientations of macromolecules are confirmed by X‐ray experiments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46750.

Cyanostilbene‐Based AIEgen Smart Film: Optical Switching by Engineering Molecular Packing Structure and Molecular Conformation Through Thermal and Photoinduced Monotropic Phase Transition

“…For the development of smart organic materials with target properties, many material scientists and engineers have tried to understand the thermodynamic and kinetic relationships between chemical structure, molecular packing structure and morphology, and the resulting material properties. [ 1–6 ] Numerous soft organic materials have been synthesized and investigated taking into account molecular function, molecular geometry and molecular fraction. For example, there are liquid crystal (LC) molecules with different molecular shapes and sizes, amphiphilic supramolecules with different chemical functions, block copolymers with different volume fractions, and host–guest complexes.…”

“…DOI: 10.1002/adom.202200405 morphology, and the resulting material properties. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Numerous soft organic materials have been synthesized and investigated taking into account molecular function, molecular geometry and molecular fraction. For example, there are liquid crystal (LC) molecules with different molecular shapes and sizes, amphiphilic supramolecules with different chemical functions, block copolymers with different volume fractions, and host-guest complexes.…”

Self Assemblies of Poly(ether ether ketone) Block Copolymers for Biomedical Applications

“…Block copolymers (BCP) with dissimilar chemical individual blocks can evolve into several morphologies such as spherical, cylindrical, bicontinuous, and lamellar. [1,2] The fraction of each block in the copolymer backbone determines as to which thermodynamically favorable morphology it will acquire and predominate. For spherical shapes, one segment or block has to form certain radius of curvature in order to bend and manufacture a polymer particle in which the chemical nature of each segment can be accessible for its applications such as in drug deliver, anti microbial activity and bone implants.…”

“…[3,4,5] Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) belongs to the family of high performance engineering polymers due to its excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability and chemical resistance at high temperature. [1,6,7] It has demonstrated excellent fatigue, creep resistance traits and low emission. Owing to its inertness toward living cells or tissue it has been used for prosthesis, orthopedic, and spinal implants.…”

“…[14] Phosphonated polymers, mesoporous silica nanoparticles and linkers have been utilized by several groups in order to manufacture hydrogels with binding ability to certain metals such as calcium for biomedical applications. [1,5,16,17] In these materials, phosphonated fraction not only enhance the mechanical strength of hydrogels but also contribute to its binding ability to the metallic surfaces. For cell adhesion and growth, several other groups have also implemented phopshonated polymers successfully.…”