Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shotaro Yukioka, Shin-ichi Yusa, Virendra Prajapati, Ketan Kuperkar, Pratap Bahadur
Summary: Double hydrophilic diblock copolymers (DHBCs) with a zwitterionic block of poly[2-(methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)] (PMPC) and a thermo/pH-responsive poly[2-(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)] (PDMAEMA) block were synthesized and their behavior in different environments was studied. Molecular interactions between the blocks were predicted using computational simulation. Micellization was observed in alkaline pH and in the presence of salt, especially for the DHBC with a high DP.
COLLOID AND POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jit Sarkar, Kai Bin Jonathan Chan, Atsushi Goto
Summary: A double hydrophilic block copolymer vesicle was synthesized using organocatalyzed living radical polymerization, capable of encapsulating external guest molecules and releasing them under reducing conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Pavlina Markova, Mariusz Uchman
Summary: The study introduces post-polymerization modification of a pH-responsive double hydrophilic diblock copolymer using stimuli-responsive phenylboronic acid, demonstrating its potential for delivering functional diols. Results show that the degree of quaternization strongly influences the solubility of these polymers in basic solutions.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Riham Muzaffar-Kawasma, Meirav Oded, Roy Shenhar
Summary: This study utilizes block copolymer micelles to organize semiconductor nanorods into circularly arranged superstructures. The shape of the micelle templates the arrangement of nanorods and the nanorods exhibit surfactant-like behavior, protecting the micelles from coalescence. The study also explores the influence of micelle attributes on nanorod organization.
Article
Polymer Science
R. Simonutti, D. Bertani, R. Marotta, S. Ferrario, D. Manzone, M. Mauri, M. Gregori, A. Orlando, M. Masserini
Summary: This study investigates the effect of using different common solvents on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymer nanoparticles, finding that the hydrogen bonding ability of the solvent strongly influences the size and shape of the particles, as well as their cytotoxicity.
Article
Polymer Science
Haohui Huo, Jie Liu, Senthil Kannan, Long Chen, Yimin Zhao, Lei Zhang, Gang Chang, Qilu Zhang, Feng Liu
Summary: This study presents the first example of protein-like multicompartment nanoparticles formed via self-assembly of a specifically designed 21-arm star polymer, PEG(PAA-b-PS)(20). The morphology of the MCNs is determined by the volume ratio of PS to PAA, and unique string structures composed of one-dimensional alignment of single-star polymers were observed for the first time. A new mechanism for the assembly of star polymers was proposed based on investigations under different conditions, suggesting potential applications in drug delivery and catalysis.
Article
Polymer Science
Deborah Y. Liu, Daniel Krogstad
Summary: The study explores the use of ionic liquid as both a curing agent and a structure-directing agent in epoxy/BCP blends, achieving a wide range of self-assembled structures in the uncured blends, including hexagonally packed cylinders and lamellar structures. Many compositions undergo phase transitions during the curing process, with some transitions proving to be quite complex.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhanwen Xu, Jiaping Lin, Liangshun Zhang, Liquan Wang
Summary: The study demonstrates the high permittivity of hybrid nanostructures designed with grafted nanoparticles and diblock copolymers, which self-assemble into ordered networks in the polymer matrix. The ordered nanoparticle networks provide pathways for concentrating electric fields, resulting in improved permittivity and potentially leading to the development of hierarchically ordered functional nanocomposites.
Article
Polymer Science
Rafael Natal Lima de Menezes, Watson Loh, Maria Isabel Felisberti
Summary: The synthesis and self-assembly behavior of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline-b-4-vinylbenzoic acid) (P(EtOx-b-4VBA)) in aqueous medium were studied. The critical aggregation concentration and thermodynamics of their aggregation were found to depend on temperature and the 4VBA/EtOx molar ratio. The aggregates displayed the ability to encapsulate hydrophobic compounds.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Junliang Zhang, Barbara Farias-Mancilla, Ihor Kulai, Stephanie Hoeppener, Barbara Lonetti, Sylvain Prevost, Jens Ulbrich, Mathias Destarac, Olivier Colombani, Ulrich S. Schubert, Carlos Guerrero-Sanchez, Simon Harrisson
Summary: A series of copolymers with different composition profiles, ranging from an AA-BA diblock copolymer to a linear gradient poly(AA-grad-BA) copolymer, were synthesized and investigated for their pH-responsive self-assembly behavior. The gradient-like compositions showed reversible changes in size and morphology in response to changes in pH, forming various structures like micelles and vesicles.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhan Wei, Fujun Liu, Min Li, Zhibo Li, Jing Sun
Summary: The solubility effect on the self-assembly of PEG-b-PNPE block copolymer with a crystalline core-forming polypeptoid in aqueous solution was systematically investigated. It was found that the balance between the crystallization and solubility of the polymer dominates the nanostructures. Depending on the restriction of PNPE block crystallization, either 1D nanofibers or 2D nanosheets induced by CDSA were observed.
Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Jordana K. Palacios, Rose Mary Michell, Alejandro J. Mueller
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the crystallization behavior and self-assembly of block copolymers with up to four potentially crystallizable phases. It discusses the factors affecting the development of crystalline structures and highlights recent advances in block copolymer crystallization. The article also explores the influence of different molecular architectures, as well as the role of nanofillers and additives in the crystallization process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangmin Ding, Dandan Liu, Xi Jiang, Xuesi Chen, Ronald N. Zuckermann, Jing Sun
Summary: The interplay between crystalline packing and hierarchical assembly is essential for the fabrication of complex superstructures from polymers. This study demonstrates the formation of distinct hierarchical superstructures by tuning the balance between surface energy and crystallization energy of a diblock copolymer containing an N-octylglycine peptoid block. The partially ordered micellar aggregates serve as key intermediates and template the formation of superstructures. The fiber-like branch of the superstructures exhibits living linear growth and shows promise for biomedical applications.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Yilin Liu, Fangfang Ke, Yuanchao Li, Yi Shi, Zhen Zhang, Yongming Chen
Summary: Significant progress has been made in block copolymer self-assembly in the past few decades. With the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, more complex structures are needed for block copolymer self-assembly based nanoplatforms to meet specific multimodal or multiplexed applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Isabella R. Dorsman, Matthew J. Derry, Victoria J. Cunningham, Steven L. Brown, Clive N. Williams, Steven P. Armes
Summary: The study discovered an unexpected reduction in dispersion viscosity when heating block copolymer vesicles above a critical temperature, with a thermal transition from vesicles to worms and then to spheres observed. Moreover, the addition of a suitable comonomer was found to lower the critical onset temperature required for the vesicle-to-worm transition, as confirmed by rheology and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. The thermal transitions observed were irreversible on normal experimental timescales.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yiping Yin, Zhe Wang, Hua Zou
Summary: This study presents a novel method for preparing dimpled polymer-silica nanocomposite particles using interfacial swelling-based seeded polymerization. The optimized conditions allow for a relatively high percentage of dimpled particles to be achieved.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Brenden D. Hoehn, Elizabeth A. Kellstedt, Marc A. Hillmyer
Summary: Porous materials with nanometer-scale pores have important applications as nanoporous membranes. In this study, ABA triblock copolymers were used as precursors to produce nanoporous polymeric membranes (NPMs) in thin film form by degrading the end blocks. Polycyclooctene (PCOE) NPMs with tunable pore sizes were successfully prepared using solvent casting technique. Oxygen plasma etching was employed to improve the surface porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. This study provides a straightforward method to produce tough NPMs with high porosity and hydrophilic surface properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vladislav S. Petrovskii, Stepan I. Zholudev, Igor I. Potemkin
Summary: This article investigates the behavior of linear and ring polypeptide chains in aqueous solution and explores the properties of the complexes formed by these chains with oppositely charged surfactants. The results demonstrate that the complexes of linear supercharged unfolded polypeptides and the corresponding surfactants exhibit impressive adhesive properties.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Merve Cevik, Serkan Dikici
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death globally, and vascular grafts are a promising treatment option. This study focuses on tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) using decellularized parsley stems as a potential biomaterial. The decellularized parsley stems showed suitable properties for TEVGs, providing a suitable environment for human endothelial cells to form a pseudo endothelium. This study showcases the potential of using parsley stems for TEVGs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gustavo A. Vasquez-Montoya, Tadej Emersic, Noe Atzin, Antonio Tavera-Vazquez, Ali Mozaffari, Rui Zhang, Orlando Guzman, Alexey Snezhko, Paul F. Nealey, Juan J. de Pablo
Summary: The optical properties of liquid crystals are typically controlled by electric fields. In this study, we investigate the effects of microfluidic flows and acoustic fields on the molecular orientation and optical response of nematic liquid crystals. We identify several previously unknown structures and explain them through calculations and simulations. These findings hold promise for the development of new systems combining sound, flow, and confinement.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinjun Wu, Xin Guan, Shushu Chen, Jiangpeng Jia, Chongyi Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Chuanzhuang Zhao
Summary: This research presents a novel shape memory hydrogel with a remodelable permanent shape and programmable cold-induced shape recovery behavior. The hydrogel is prepared using specific treatment methods to achieve shape fixation by heating and shape recovery by cooling. Additionally, deformable devices can be obtained by assembling hydrogel blocks with different concentrations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rebecca Hengsbach, Gerhard Fink, Ulrich Simon
Summary: This study examines the properties of DNA functionalized pNipmam microgels and pure pNipmam microgels at different concentrations of sodium chloride and in PBS solutions using temperature dependent H-1-NMR measurements. The results show that DNA modification affects the volume phase transition temperature and the addition of salt and PBS further enhances this effect.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ningyi Li, Junhong Li, Lijingting Qing, Shicheng Ma, Yao Li, Baohui Li
Summary: This paper investigates the self-assembly behavior of colloids with competing interactions under spherical confinement and finds that different ordered structures can be formed under different sized spherical confinements. Moreover, more perforated structures are formed in smaller spheres.