Self‐Assembly of Copolymers Containing Crystallizable Blocks: Strategies and Applications

Abstract

The self‐assembly of copolymers containing crystallizable blocks in solution has received increasing attention in the past few years. Various strategies including crystallization‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) and polymerization‐induced CDSA (PI‐CDSA) have been widely developed. Abundant self‐assembly morphologies are captured and advanced applications have been attempted. In this review, the synthetic strategies including the mechanisms and characteristics are highlighted and a survey on the advanced applications of crystalline nano‐assemblies is collected. This review is hoped to depict a comprehensive outline for self‐assembly of copolymers containing crystallizable blocks in recent years and to prompt the development of the self‐assembly technology in interdisciplinary fields.

Fluorine-containing nano-objects with the same compositions but different segment distributions: synthesis, characterization and comparison

“…Over the past 12 years, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has been emerged as an efficient and promising technique to produce nano-objects with rich morphologies and high solid contents (up to 50%), as well as explore novel applications. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Unlike the conventional self-assembly technique, the synthesis and self-assembly process of a block copolymer happen simultaneously in a PISA system, which greatly facilitates the large-scale production and application of nanoobjects. 30 In view of the unique solubility of fluoropolymers in most common solvents, fluoropolymers have been introduced into the PISA system by researchers.…”

Synthesis of poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(phenylisocyanide) copolymers and their self-assembly in solution

“…1c). The time-dependent SEC of the copolymerization exhibited a unimodal SEC peak, which moved to a higher M n -region continuously ( [5] 0 /[Ni] 0 = 100) (Fig. S13 in the ESI †).…”

“…[1][2][3][4] With the advance in polymer chemistry, the controlled self-assembly of BCPs comprising solvophilic and solvophobic blocks in appropriate solvents has attracted great interest in the last few decades; in this respect, a variety of strategies including crystallizationdriven self-assembly and polymerization-induced self-assembly for implementing BCP self-assembly have been dramatically developed. 5,6 Supramolecular aggregates with numerous morphologies such as spheres, worms, fibers, vesicles, rods, and so on can be captured via the structures and chain length ratio of the blocks, noncovalent interaction of the conjugated backbone, and external conditions (light, temperature, pH, etc.). [7][8][9][10][11] Among various BCPs, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is one of the most widely studied systems due to its facile synthesis, high solubility, and excellent chemical stability.…”

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Self-Assembly of Wheat Gluten Polypeptide

“…Self-assembly processes are ubiquitous in nature. Involved in the crystal formation, cell growth, and the synthesis of nanomaterials [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. It shows the great potential for application in biology, materials, medicine, and food.…”