Synthesis and mechanistic insights of macromolecular assemblies from ABA triblock copolymer blends
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conference contribution
posted on 2014-07-06, 00:00authored byAnbazhagan Palanisamy, Qipeng Guo
Macromolecular assembly of block copolymers into numerous nanostructures resembles self-organization of proteins and cellular components found in nature. In order to mimic nature’s assemblies either to cure a disease or construct functional devices, the organization principles underpinning the emergence of complex shapes need to be understood. In the same vein, this study aimed at understanding morphology evolution in a triblock copolymer blend in aqueous solution. An ABA type amphiphilic triblock copolymer (polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide-b-polystyrene, PS-b-PEO-b-PS) was synthesized at different compositions via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and self-assembly behavior of a binary mixture in aqueous solution was studied. Block copolymers that form worms and vesicles in its pristine state was shown to form complex morphologies such as fused rings, “jellyfish”, toroid vesicles, large compound vesicles and large lamellae after blending. The tendency of vesicle-forming block copolymer to form bilayers may be responsible for triggering complex morphologies when mixed with a worm or micelle-forming polymer. In other words, the interplay between curvature effects produced by two distinct polymers with different hydrophobic block lengths results in complex morphologies due to chain segregation within the nanostructure.
History
Event
World Polymer. Congress (2014 : Chiang Mai, Thailand)
Pagination
1 - 2
Publisher
[The Congress]
Location
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Place of publication
[Chiang Mai, Thailand]
Start date
2014-07-06
End date
2014-07-11
Language
eng
Publication classification
E Conference publication; E1 Full written paper - refereed
Copyright notice
2014, Elsevier
Editor/Contributor(s)
Tantayanon, S
Title of proceedings
IUPAC MACRO 2014 : Proceedings of the World Polymer Congress