Nanotube Preparation from Solid Precursors

In the absence of strong interactions such as H-bonding and electrostatic interactions, different polymers do not mix. Most block copolymers undergo block segregation or microphase separation in the sofid state [51]. If the block copolymers have narrow molecular weight distributions and homogenous composition, highly periodic structures are formed. For ABC triblock copolymers, there are compositions at which periodic B-C shell-core cylinders are 

The right panel of Fig. 8 shows a TEM image of the intestine-like nanotubes. The stained PCEMA layer does not have a uniform diameter across the nanotube length because of their uneven collapse during solvent evaporation. 

The presence of PAA groups inside the tubular core was demonstrated by our ability to carry out various aqueous reactions inside the tubular core as will be discussed later. 

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