Self-assemblies of block copolymers

Linder, S. M. and Thelakkat, M. (2004) Nanostructures of n-type organic semiconductor in a p-type matrix via self-assembly of block copolymers. Macromolecules, 37, 8832-8835. 

Linse P (2000) Modelling of self-assembly of block copolymers in selective solvent. In Alexandridis P, Lindman B (eds) Amphiphilic block copolymers self assembly and applications. Elsevier, Amsterdam... 

A number of researchers have used surface energy libraries to examine the self-assembly of block copolymer species in thin films. It is well known that substrate-block interactions can govern the orientation, wetting symmetry and even the pattern motif of self-assembled domains in block copolymer films [29]. A simple illustration of these effects in diblock copolymer films is shown schematically in Fig. 6. However, for most block copolymer systems the exact surface energy conditions needed to control these effects are unknown, and for many applications of self-assembly (e.g., nanolithography) such control is essential. 

Rodriguez-Hernandez J, ChecotF, Gnanou Y, Lecommandoux S. Toward smart nano-objects by self-assembly of block copolymers in solution. Prog Polym Sci 2005 30 691-724. 

Amir RJ, Zhong S, Pochan DJ, Hawker CJ (2009) Enzymatically triggered self-assembly of block copolymers. J Am Chem Soc 131 13949-13951... 

The properties of ordered structures in block copolymer melts have yet to be fully exploited, but the structural and rheological anisotropy is likely to lead to applications not all of which can be envisaged yet. The precision self-assembly of block copolymers into ordered structures for thin film and interfacial applications has enormous potential. Other applications such as nanoscale templates, membranes and filters could exploit the self-assembly of block copolymers into domains with periods 10-100 nm. The possibilities are limited only by the molecular engineer s imagination. 

Dan, N. and M. Tirrell. 1993. Self-assembly of block copolymers with strongly charged and a hydrophobic block in a selective, polar solvent. Micelles and adsorbed la ifasromolecule 6 4310—4315. 

Johnson, B. K. and R. K. Prud homme. 2003a. Mechanism for rapid self-assembly of block copolymer nanoparticlesPhys. Rev. Let01 118302.1-118302.4. 

Kim SO et al (2003) Epitaxial self-assembly of block copolymers on lithographically defined nanopattemed substrates. Nature 424(6947) 411-414... 

In the second part of this chapter recent progress towards nanostructured polycrystalline assemblies from block copolymer mesophases will be described. First, developments in the approaches presented so far toward nanostructured materials with crystalline nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous silica-type material will be discussed. The second section will describe a new assembly approach for the development of nanostructured materials with highly crystalline walls. The last part highlights achievements of the self-assembly of block copolymers with... 

Liang, C.D., Hong, K.L., Guiochon, G.A., Mays, J.W., and Dai, S. Synthesis of a large-scale highly ordered porous carbon film by self-assembly of block copolymers. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 43, 2004 5785-5789. 

With recent discoveries in the self-assembly of block copolymers, a large step is now being taken towards industrial applications. However, the spontaneous process of microphase separation leads to the formation of polycrystalline microdomain arrays consisting of randomly oriented regions, which limits the potential... 

Darling SB (2007) Directing the self-assembly of block copolymers. Prog Polym Sci 32 1152-1204... 

Polymeric nanoaggregates are the result of self-assembly of block copolymers. For example, PEO-b-PAA on reaction with EDC methiodide undergoes self-association to form short rods, vesicles, encapsulated spheres and long fibers. The attachment of nanotubes and microdots to engineered viruses is also mediated using EDC. ... 

Self-assembly of block copolymer systems stands at the heart of nanotechnology with soft materials [1-10]. The covalent links between the chemically different blocks prevent macrophase separation which otherwise would result from the imfavorable interactions. Instead, self-assembly produces... 

Fig. 3 Schematic representation of the self-assembly of block copolymers to give porous dielectric materials. (From Refill].)...

Many reviews and feature articles covering different aspects of this field have already appeared and the interested reader is encouraged for further reading to examine [1-5]. This review article will present recent developments in using block copolymers as templates for the synthesis of nanostructured materials. After an outline of the basic concepts of templating and the self-assembly of block copolymers, we will cover the synthesis of nanoparticles and mesoporous structures. At the end strategies for multiple templating and other future developments will be discussed. 

Wright ER, Conticello VP. Self-assembly of block copolymers derived from elastin-mimetic polypeptide sequences. Adv Drug Delivery Rev 2002 54 1057-1073. 

Cheng JY, Ross CA, Smith HI, Thomas EL. 2006. Templated self assembly of block copolymers top down helps bottom up. Adv Mater 18 2505 2521. 

Houillot, L. Bui, C. Save, M. Charleux, B. Farcet, C. Moire, C. Raust, J.A. Rodriguez, I. Synthesis of well-defined polyacrylate particle dispersions in organic medium using simultaneous RAFT polymerization and self-assembly of block copolymers. A strong influence of the selected thiocarbonylthio chain transfer agent. Macromolecules 2007, 40 (18), 6500-6509. 

Self-assembly of block copolymers that are made of poly(ethylene oxide), PEO, as the hydrophilic non-ionic block, has been extensively explored. The research interest in PEO-containing block copolymers was motivated, to a great extent, by potential biomedical applications, which rely on the finding that PEO moieties are biocompatible. Because amphiphilic block copolymers of PEO and poly(propylene oxide) PPO (pluronics) are produced on an industrial scale, research on these nonionic polymeric surfactants resulted in many technological applications. Both PPO and PEO are thermoresponsive, having a low solution critical temperature (LSCT),... 

---