scholarly journals Controlled ATRP Synthesis of Novel Linear-Dendritic Block Copolymers and Their Directed Self-Assembly in Breath Figure Arrays

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Liu ◽  
Tina Monzavi ◽  
Ivan Gitsov
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Palladium Complexes ◽  
Copolymer Composition ◽  
Average Molecular Mass ◽  
Mass Distributions ◽  
Breath Figure ◽  
End Groups

Herein, we report the formation and characterization of novel amphiphilic linear-dendritic block copolymers (LDBCs) composed of hydrophilic dendritic poly(ether-ester), PEE, blocks and hydrophobic linear poly(styrene), PSt. The LDBCs are synthesized via controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiated by a PEE macroinitiator. The copolymers formed have narrow molecular mass distributions and are designated as LGn-PSt Mn, in which LG represents the PEE fragment, n denotes the generation of the dendron (n = 1–3), and Mn refers to the average molecular mass of the LDBC (Mn = 3.5–68 kDa). The obtained LDBCs are utilized to fabricate honeycomb films by a static “breath figure” (BF) technique. The copolymer composition strongly affects the film morphology. LDBCs bearing acetonide dendron end groups produce honeycomb films when the PEE fraction is lower than 20%. Pore uniformity increases as the PEE content decreases. For LDBCs with hydroxyl end groups, only the first generation LDBCs yield BF films, but with a significantly smaller pore size (0.23 μm vs. 1–2 μm, respectively). Although higher generation LDBCs with free hydroxyl end groups fail to generate honeycomb films by themselves, the use of a cosolvent or addition of homo PSt leads to BF films with a controllable pore size (3.7–0.42 μm), depending on the LDBC content. Palladium complexes within the two triazole groups in each of the dendron’s branching moieties can also fine-tune the morphology of the BF films.

Large Pore Size Nanoporous Materials from the Self-Assembly of Asymmetric Bottlebrush Block Copolymers

Nano Letters ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 998-1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Bolton ◽  
Travis S. Bailey ◽  
Javid Rzayev
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Pore Size ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Nanoporous Materials ◽  
The Self ◽  
Large Pore ◽  
Large Pore Size

scholarly journals Thermoresponsive Poly(glycidyl ether) Brush Coatings on Various Tissue Culture Substrates—How Block Copolymer Design and Substrate Material Govern Self-Assembly and Phase Transition

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1899
Author(s):  
Daniel David Stöbener ◽  
Marie Weinhart
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transition ◽  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Block Copolymer ◽  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Physical Adsorption ◽  
Glycidyl Ether ◽  
Substrate Material ◽  
Copolymer Composition ◽  
Anchor Block

Thermoresponsive poly(glycidyl ether) brushes can be grafted to applied tissue culture substrates and used for the fabrication of primary human cell sheets. The self-assembly of such brushes is achieved via the directed physical adsorption and subsequent UV immobilization of block copolymers equipped with a short, photo-reactive benzophenone-based anchor block. Depending on the chemistry and hydrophobicity of the benzophenone anchor, we demonstrate that such block copolymers exhibit distinct thermoresponsive properties and aggregation behaviors in water. Independent on the block copolymer composition, we developed a versatile grafting-to process which allows the fabrication of poly(glycidyl ether) brushes on various tissue culture substrates from dilute aqueous-ethanolic solution. The viability of this process crucially depends on the chemistry and hydrophobicity of, both, benzophenone-based anchor block and substrate material. Utilizing these insights, we were able to manufacture thermoresponsive poly(glycidyl ether) brushes on moderately hydrophobic polystyrene and polycarbonate as well as on rather hydrophilic polyethylene terephthalate and tissue culture-treated polystyrene substrates. We further show that the temperature-dependent switchability of the brush coatings is not only dependent on the cloud point temperature of the block copolymers, but also markedly governed by the hydrophobicity of the surface-bound benzophenone anchor and the subjacent substrate material. Our findings demonstrate that the design of amphiphilic thermoresponsive block copolymers is crucial for their phase transition characteristics in solution and on surfaces.

scholarly journals Micellization Behaviour of Linear and Nonlinear Block Copolymers Based on Poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) in Selective Solvents

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1678
Author(s):  
Aggelos Vazaios ◽  
Athanasios Touris ◽  
Mikel Echeverria ◽  
Georgia Zorba ◽  
Marinos Pitsikalis
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
The Self ◽  
Copolymer Composition ◽  
Force Microscopy ◽  
Selective Solvents ◽  
Atomic Force ◽  
Spherical Micelles ◽  
Macromolecular Architecture

Block copolymers have attracted significant scientific and economic interest over the last decades due to their ability to self-assemble into ordered structures both in bulk and in selective solvents. In this work, the self-assembly behaviour of both linear (diblocks, triblocks and pentablocks) and nonlinear (miktoarm stars and a block-graft) copolymers based on poly(n-hexyl isocyanate), PHIC, were studied in selective solvents such as n-heptane and n-dodecane. A variety of experimental techniques, namely static and dynamic light scattering, dilute solution viscometry and atomic force microscopy, were employed to study the micellar structural parameters (e.g., aggregation number, overall micellar size and shape, and core and shell dimensions). The effect of the macromolecular architecture, the molecular weight and the copolymer composition on the self-assembly behaviour was studied. Spherical micelles in equilibrium with clusters were obtained from the block copolymers. Thermally stable, uniform and spherical aggregates were found from the triblock copolymers. The poly(n-hexyl isocyanate)-b-polyisoprene-b-poly(n-hexyl isocyanate),-HIH copolymers tend to adopt closed loop conformation, leading to more elongated cylindrical-type structures upon increasing the concentration. Clustering effects were also reported in the case of the pentablock terpolymers. The topology of the blocks plays an important role, since the poly(n-hexyl isocyanate)-b-polystyrene-b-polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(n-hexyl isocyanate), HSISH terpolymer shows intermicellar fusion of spherical micelles, leading to the formation of extended networks. The formation of spherical micelles in equilibrium with clusters was obvious in the case of the miktoarm stars, whereas the block-graft copolymer shows the existence of mainly unimolecular micelles.

Self-Assembly of Hydrogels From Elastin-Mimetic Block Copolymers

2002 ◽  
Vol 724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth R. Wright ◽  
R. Andrew McMillan ◽  
Alan Cooper ◽  
Robert P. Apkarian ◽  
Vincent P. Conticello
Keyword(s):  
Block Copolymers ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Triblock Copolymers ◽  
Variable Temperature ◽  
Inverse Temperature ◽  
Temperature Transition ◽  
Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
Design Synthesis ◽  
Inverse Temperature Transition ◽  
Functional Biomaterials

AbstractTriblock copolymers have traditionally been synthesized with conventional organic components. However, triblock copolymers could be synthesized by the incorporation of two incompatible protein-based polymers. The polypeptides would differ in their hydrophobicity and confer unique physiochemical properties to the resultant materials. One protein-based polymer, based on a sequence of native elastin, that has been utilized in the synthesis of biomaterials is poly (Valine-Proline-Glycine-ValineGlycine) or poly(VPGVG) [1]. This polypeptide has been shown to have an inverse temperature transition that can be adjusted by non-conservative amino acid substitutions in the fourth position [2]. By combining polypeptide blocks with different inverse temperature transition values due to hydrophobicity differences, we expect to produce amphiphilic polypeptides capable of self-assembly into hydrogels. Our research examines the design, synthesis and characterization of elastin-mimetic block copolymers as functional biomaterials. The methods that are used for the characterization include variable temperature 1D and 2D High-Resolution-NMR, cryo-High Resolutions Scanning Electron Microscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry.

Reactive Nanopattern in a Triple Structured Bio-Inspired Honeycomb Film as a Clickable Platform

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Marcasuzaa ◽  
Samuel Pearson ◽  
Karell Bosson ◽  
Laurence Pessoni ◽  
Jean-Charles Dupin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Double Porosity ◽  
Surface Groups ◽  
Specific Chemical ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Surface Functionality ◽  
Wenzel State ◽  
Breath Figure ◽  
Responsive Surfaces ◽  
Secondary Population

A hierarchically structured platform was obtained from spontaneous self-assembly of a poly(styrene)-<i>b</i>-poly(vinylbenzylchloride) (PS-<i>b</i>-PVBC) block copolymer (BCP) during breath figure (BF) templating. The BF process using a water/ethanol atmosphere gave a unique double porosity in which hexagonally arranged micron-sized pores were encircled by a secondary population of smaller, nano-sized pores. A third level of structuration was simultaneously introduced between the pores by directed BCP self-assembly to form out-of-the-plane nano-cylinders, offering very rapid bottom-up access to a film with unprecedented triple structure which could be used as a reactive platform for introducing further surface functionality. The surface nano-domains of VBC were exploited as reactive nano-patterns for site-specific chemical functionalization by firstly substituting the exposed chlorine moiety with azide, then “clicking” an alkyne by copper (I) catalyzed azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition (CuAAC). Successful chemical modification was verified by NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and XPS, with retention of the micro- and nanostructuration confirmed by SEM and AFM respectively. Protonation of the cyclotriazole surface groups triggered a switch in macroscopic behavior from a Cassie-Baxter state to a Wenzel state, highlighting the possibility of producing responsive surfaces with hierarchical structure.

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