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Hu D, Ji X, Zhu J, Xu J. Crystallization-dictated assembly of block copolymers and nanoparticles under three-dimensional confinement. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:10854-10865. [PMID: 39239768 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc03685a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Crystallization-dictated self-assembly of crystalline block copolymers (BCPs) in solution has been utilized to produce many impressive nanostructures. However, when the assembly of crystalline BCPs happens in a three-dimensional (3D) confined space, predicting the self-assembly structure of BCPs becomes challenging due to the competition between crystallization and microphase separation. In this feature article, we summarize the recent progress in the self-assembly of crystalline BCPs under confinement, emphasizing the impact of crystallization behavior on the assembly structure. Furthermore, we highlight the crystallization-directed assembly of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), either by pre-assembling crystalline polymers as templates or using crystalline polymer chain segments as ligands. By exploring the impact of crystallization behavior on the assembled structure of BCPs and NPs, it is helpful to predict and manipulate the properties of polymer/nanoparticle composites, thereby enabling the precise design of polymer metamaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dengwen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage of Ministry of Education (HUST), State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mold Technology, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Xinyu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage of Ministry of Education (HUST), State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mold Technology, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Jintao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage of Ministry of Education (HUST), State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mold Technology, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China.
| | - Jiangping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage of Ministry of Education (HUST), State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mold Technology, and Hubei Key Laboratory of Materials Chemistry and Service Failure, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China.
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Yu X, Li J, Zhang J, Jin J, Pan Y, Ji X, Jiang W. Pathway-dependent Shape Transformation of Polymeric Vesicles under UV Light and the Assembly of UV-irradiated Polymer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:17630-17637. [PMID: 39105727 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.4c01995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Shape transformation of polymer particles is generally a nonequilibrium dynamics process. Controlling the shape transformation of polymers is increasingly attractive and challenging for scientists due to their extensive use in drug delivery and cancer therapy. Herein, we investigated the UV-triggered shape transformation pathway of polymeric vesicles assembled from Polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) and 4-hydroxyazobenzene (PS-b-P4VP(Azo-OH)) and the direct assembly pathway of UV-irradiated PS-b-P4VP(Azo-OH) homogeneous solution. In the shape transformation process, well-assembled vesicles can be transformed into toroid, cylindrical, rod-like, and spherical micelles. In the direct assembly pathway, rod-like and spherical micelles can be obtained. Interestingly, the toroid micelles can be obtained only from the UV-triggered shape transformation pathway. Contrasting the two pathways reveals the pathway dependence of PS-b-P4VP(Azo-OH) assembly, suggesting that the final assembly morphology is determined by the initial state and dynamic process. The speed of UV-triggered shape transformation and the final morphology of assemblies can be tuned easily by adjusting the UV illuminance, time, and content of Azo-OH addition. Moreover, the light-responsive polymeric vesicles can be used as drug carriers and have the potential to release drugs precisely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jinlan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jianing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies and Key Laboratory of Textile Fiber and Products of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Jing Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies and Key Laboratory of Textile Fiber and Products of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
| | - Yanxiong Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xiangling Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- State Key Laboratory of New Textile Materials and Advanced Processing Technologies and Key Laboratory of Textile Fiber and Products of Ministry of Education, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, China
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Zhang M, Cheng Q, Han G, Liu S, Hou Z, Tian M, Wan C, Huang C, Xu J, Zhu J. Dynamic Electrostatic Interfacial Engineering for Block Copolymer Microparticles with Reversible Structures. ACS NANO 2024; 18:13876-13884. [PMID: 38756047 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.4c03099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Responsive nanoparticle surfactants (NPSs) can dynamically and reversibly modulate the interfacial interactions between incompatible components, which are essential in the interfacial catalysis, corrosion, and self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs). However, NPSs with stimuli-responsive behavior often involve tedious chemical synthesis and surface modifications. Herein, we propose a strategy to in situ construct a kind of dynamic and reversible NPSs by the interfacial electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged nanoparticles (NPs) and the positively charged homopolymers. The NPSs assembled at the oil/water interface reduce the interfacial tension and direct the confined assembly of BCP. Meanwhile, the dynamic NPSs can be disassembled by increasing the pH value or introducing competitive electrostatic attractions, which can dynamically and reversibly change the interfacial properties as well as the alignment of polymer chains, enabling BCP microparticles with reversibly switchable lamellar and cylindrical structures. Furthermore, by the introduction of aggregation-induced emission luminogens as tails to the NPSs, the reversible transformation of BCP microparticles can be visualized by fluorescence emission, which is dependent on the nanostructures of microparticles. This work establishes a concept for dynamically manipulating interfacial interactions and reversibly switching BCP microparticles without time-consuming NPS synthesis, showing promising applications in the fabrication of smart materials with switchable structures and properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhang
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Quanyong Cheng
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Guoqiang Han
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Simeng Liu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Zaiyan Hou
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Meirong Tian
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Chuchu Wan
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Caili Huang
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jiangping Xu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jintao Zhu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan 430074, China
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Heo J, Seo S, Yun H, Ku KH. Stimuli-responsive nanoparticle self-assembly at complex fluid interfaces: a new insight into dynamic surface chemistry. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:3951-3968. [PMID: 38319675 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05990a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) at fluid interfaces is a rapidly evolving area with tremendous potential in various fields, including biomedicine, display devices, catalysts, and sensors. This review provides an in-depth exploration of the current state-of-the-art in the programmed design of stimuli-responsive NP assemblies, with a specific focus on inorganic core/organic shell NPs below 100 nm for their responsive adsorption properties at fluid and polymer interfaces. The interface properties, such as ligands, charge, and surface chemistry, play a significant role in dictating the forces and energies governing both NP-NP and NP-hosting matrix interactions. We highlight the fundamental principles governing the reversible surface chemistry of NPs and present detailed experimental examples in the following three key aspects of stimuli-responsive NP assembly: (i) stimuli-driven assembly of NPs at the air/liquid interface, (ii) reversible NP assembly at the liquid/liquid interface, including films and Pickering emulsions, and (iii) hybrid NP assemblies at the polymer/polymer and polymer/water interfaces that exhibit stimuli-responsive behaviors. Finally, we address current challenges in existing approaches and offer a new perspective on the advances in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Heo
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seunghwan Seo
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hongseok Yun
- Department of Chemistry and Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Science, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Kang Hee Ku
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea.
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Kim J, Lee YJ, Ku KH, Kim BJ. Effect of Molecular Structure of Photoswitchable Surfactant on Light-Responsive Shape Transition of Block Copolymer Particles. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinwoo Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Jun Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Hee Ku
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Bumjoon J. Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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Zhang M, Ren M, Zhang Y, Hou Z, Liu S, Zhang L, Xu J, Zhu J. Shaping Block Copolymer Microparticles by Positively Charged Polymeric Nanoparticles. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200143. [PMID: 35396780 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Shape-transforming block copolymer (BCP) microparticles have attracted extensive attention due to their promising applications in nanotechnology, biomedicines, interfacial science, and other fields. As their performance is highly associated to their shape and structure, it is highly important to realize the precise control of particle shape. In this report, we propose a method to regulate the shape and structure of polystyrene-b-polydimethoxysiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) microparticles by using positively charged core-crosslinked nanoparticles (CNPs) as a co-surfactant, combining with cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The electrostatic repulsive interactions between CNPs and CTAB dominate the shape of PS-b-PDMS particles. Upon introducing NaCl, the electrostatic repulsion is reduced, resulting in the reshape of PS-b-PDMS particles from striped Janus ellipsoids to onion-like microspheres at a critical concentration of NaCl (cNaCl ). Interestingly, we find that the critical cNaCl first increased then reached a plateau, as the increase in the crosslinking degree of the CNPs. Our work provides a simple strategy to tailor the morphology of BCPs by manipulating the electrostatic interaction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Zhang
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Min Ren
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Zaiyan Hou
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Simeng Liu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Lianbin Zhang
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jiangping Xu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jintao Zhu
- Key Lab of Materials Chemistry for Energy Conversion & Storage (HUST) of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
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Ku KH. Responsive Nanostructured Polymer Particles. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:273. [PMID: 33467649 PMCID: PMC7829942 DOI: 10.3390/polym13020273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Responsive polymer particles with switchable properties are of great importance for designing smart materials in various applications. Recently, the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) and polymer blends within evaporative emulsions has led to advances in the shape-controlled synthesis of polymer particles. Despite extensive recent progress on BCP particles, the responsive shape tuning of BCP particles and their applications have received little attention. This review provides a brief overview of recent approaches to developing non-spherical polymer particles from soft evaporative emulsions based on the physical principles affecting both particle shape and inner structure. Special attention is paid to the stimuli-responsive, shape-changing nanostructured polymer particles, i.e., design of polymers and surfactant pairs, detailed experimental results, and their applications, including the state-of-the-art progress in this field. Finally, the perspectives on current challenges and future directions in this research field are presented, including the development of surfactants with higher reversibility to multiple stimuli and polymers with unique structural functionality, and diversification of polymer architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Hee Ku
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea
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