Nanostructures improving block copolymer order

In order to achieve improved nanofabrication performance, novel functional block copolymer systems are strongly desired. Many researchers have recognized this, and novel functional systems such as metal-containing block copolymer systems have significantly simplified and improved nanofabrication processes. The combination of top-down microscale patterns with the bottom-up nanopatterns are attractive for integrating functional nanostructures into multipurpose on-chip devices. However, in order to use these materials in real-time applications, further development is still needed. More ground-shaking discoveries are needed and are also fully expected. 

Block copolymers containing crystaUizable blocks have been studied not only as alternative TPEs with improved properties but also as novel nanostructured materials with much more intricate architectures compared to those produced by the simple amorphous blocks. As the interplay of crystallization and microphase segregation of crystalline/amorphous block copolymers greatly influences the final equihbrium ordered states and results in a diverse morphological complexity, there has been a continued high level of interest in the synthesis and characterization of these materials. 

According to the second strategy, polymer electrolytes as well as nonionic block copolymers are dissolved in ILs in order to achieve nanostructure formation of polymer-based ionic systems by nanophase separation. A great variety of polymer electrolytes have been integrated into ILs with the aim of improving the ion transport properties of electrochemical devices such as lithium ion batteries, fuel... 

Significant improvement in the adhesive strength and toughness of epoxy resin modified with polystyrene-p-polybutadiene-p-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer was reported by Prolongo et al. [36]. In order to access the nanostructures in epoxy thermosets, knowing the different miscibility of polymeric blocks on epoxy matrix during the curing treatment, they incorporated polystyrene-p-polybutadiene-p-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymer (SBM) into epoxy resin. 

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