1
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Avalos E, Teramoto T, Hirai Y, Yabu H, Nishiura Y. Controlling the Formation of Polyhedral Block Copolymer Nanoparticles: Insights from Process Variables and Dynamic Modeling. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:17276-17288. [PMID: 38645350 PMCID: PMC11025090 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c10302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
This study delves into the formation of nanoscale polyhedral block copolymer particles (PBCPs) exhibiting cubic, octahedral, and variant geometries. These structures represent a pioneering class that has never been fabricated previously. PBCP features distinct variations in curvature on the outer surface, aligning with the edges and corners of polyhedral shapes. This characteristic sharply contrasts with previous block copolymers (BCPs), which displayed a smooth spherical surface. The emergence of these cornered morphologies presents an intriguing and counterintuitive phenomenon and is linked to process parameters, such as evaporation rates and initial concentration, while keeping other variables constant. Using a system of coupled Cahn-Hillard (CCH) equations, we uncover the mechanisms driving polyhedral particle formation, emphasizing the importance of controlling relaxation parameters for shape variable u and microphase separation v. This unconventional approach, differing from traditional steepest descent method, allows for precise control and diverse polyhedral particle generation. Accelerating the shape variable u proves crucial for expediting precipitation and aligns with experimental observations. Employing the above theoretical model, we achieve shape predictions for particles and the microphase separation within them, which overcomes the limitations of ab initio computations. Additionally, a numerical stability analysis discerns the transient nature versus local minimizer characteristics. Overall, our findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay between process variables and the morphology of polyhedral BCP nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Avalos
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Teramoto
- Faculty
of Data Science, Kyoto Women’s University, 35 Kitahiyoshi-cho, Imakumano, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-8501, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hirai
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yabu
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Nishiura
- Advanced
Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Research
Center of Mathematics for Social Creativity, Research Institute for
Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, N12W7, Kita-Ward, Mid-Campus Open
Laboratory Building No. 2, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
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2
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Singh J, Gupta S, Chokshi P. Confinement-induced self-assembly of a diblock copolymer within a non-uniform cylindrical nanopore. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:1543-1553. [PMID: 38268494 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01348k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The self-assembly of a diblock copolymer melt confined within a non-uniform cylindrical nanopore is studied using the self-consistent field theory. The non-uniformity manifests in the form of a converging-diverging cylindrical nanopore. The axial variation in pore diameter presents a range of curvatures within the same confinement pore as opposed to a single curvature in a uniform-diameter cylindrical pore. The introduction of multiple curvatures leads to the formation of novel microstructures not accessible in uniform cylindrical confinement. The well-known equilibrium structures like a single helix, double helices, and concentric lamella under cylindrical confinement transition into new morphologies such as hyperboloidal phases, microstructures containing rings with a bead, rings with spheres, and a squeezed helical phase as the pore diameter varies axially. The converging-diverging geometry of the confining pore renders the helical phases seen in the cylindrical pore less favorable. A phase diagram in the parametric space of the block fraction and the ratio of the smallest and largest pore radii has been constructed to depict the order-order transition of various microstructures. The ratio of radii, a measure of the non-uniformity of the pore, along with the pore length brings out some interesting morphologies. The mechanism of these structural transitions is understood as the interplay between the variation in pore curvature attributed to the non-uniformity, the spontaneous curvature of the block copolymer interface, and the enthalpic interaction between the segregated blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagat Singh
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
| | - Supriya Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
| | - Paresh Chokshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
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3
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Zhang L, Yang J, Li W. Emergence of Multi-strand Helices from the Self-Assembly of AB-Type Multiblock Copolymer under Cylindrical Confinement. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c01651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lixun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Junying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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4
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Yang J, Dong Q, Liu M, Li W. Universality and Specificity in the Self-Assembly of Cylinder-Forming Block Copolymers under Cylindrical Confinement. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qingshu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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5
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Zhao F, Xu Z, Li W. Self-Assembly of Asymmetric Diblock Copolymers under the Spherical Confinement. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c02250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fengmei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhanwen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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6
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Vargo E, Evans KM, Wang Q, Sattler A, Qian Y, Yao J, Xu T. Orbital Angular Momentum from Self-Assembled Concentric Nanoparticle Rings. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2103563. [PMID: 34418190 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202103563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ring-shaped nanostructures can focus, filter, and manipulate electromagnetic waves, but are challenging to incorporate into devices using standard nanofabrication techniques. Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) on lithographically patterned templates has successfully been used to fabricate concentric rings and spirals as etching masks. However, this method is limited by BCP phase behavior and material selection. Here, a straightforward approach to generate ring-shaped nanoparticle assemblies in thin films of supramolecular nanocomposites is demonstrated. DSA is used to guide the formation of concentric rings with radii spanning 150-1150 nm and ring widths spanning 30-60 nm. When plasmonic nanoparticles are used, ring nanodevice arrays can be fabricated in one step, and the completed devices produce high-quality orbital angular momentum (OAM). Nanocomposite DSA simplifies and streamlines nanofabrication by producing metal structures without etching or deposition steps; it also introduces interparticle coupling as a new design axis. Detailed analysis of the nanoparticle ring assemblies confirms that the supramolecular system self-regulates the spatial distribution of its components, and thus exhibits a degree of flexibility absent in DSA of BCPs alone, where structures are determined by polymer-pattern incommensurability. The present studies also provide guidelines for developing self-regulating DSA as an alternative to incommensurability-driven methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Vargo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Katherine M Evans
- Department of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Qingjun Wang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Andrew Sattler
- Department of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Yiwen Qian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jie Yao
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
- Materials Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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7
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Chen K, Wang F, Liu M, Wang X. Tunable helical structures formed by blending
ABC
triblock copolymers and C homopolymers in nanopores. POLYM INT 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pi.6253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ka Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou China
| | - Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou China
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers Fudan University Shanghai China
| | - Xinping Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Science of Polymer Materials of Zhejiang Province Zhejiang Sci‐Tech University Hangzhou China
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8
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Gupta S, Chokshi P. Self-organization of a 4-miktoarm star block copolymer induced by cylindrical confinement. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4929-4941. [PMID: 33725050 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00149c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Self-consistent field calculations have been carried out to reveal the self-assembly behavior of a melt of the ABCD star tetrablock copolymer confined within a cylindrical nanopore. The miktoarm star block copolymer exhibits a rich self-assembly behavior with a myriad of interesting three-dimensional ordered phases with the potential to produce advanced nanomaterials. The broad array of ordered mesophases includes helical microstructures, stack of rings/doughnuts, honeycomb structure, and perforated lamella with beads, depending on the individual block fractions and the size of the cylindrical nanopore. Such chiral motifs generated from achiral polymeric molecules are fascinating due to their superior performance in sophisticated opto-electronic devices. The study also demonstrates an interesting morphology, viz. a honeycomb structure, obtained from the self-organization of ABCD star block copolymer molecules with equal block fractions. The system exhibits order-order phase transition covering a range of ordered morphologies by changing either the block fraction or the nanopore radius. A representative phase diagram in terms of block fractions is constructed. These novel ordered microstructures, arising mainly out of structural frustration and confinement-induced entropy loss, can serve as structural scaffolds to host the spatial distribution of nanoparticles resulting into novel nanocomposites with significantly enhanced as well as controllable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
| | - Paresh Chokshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
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9
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Hu X, Wang Z, Yin Y, Jiang R, Li B. Controlling the chirality and number of strands of helices self-assembled from achiral block copolymers confined inside a nanopore: a simulation study. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4434-4444. [PMID: 33908596 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00103e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Achiral block copolymers can self-assemble into helical structures when confined inside a cylindrical nanopore. However, controlling the chirality and the number of strands of helices is challenging. We present our simulation results of the influence of a chiral patch added to the confining nanopore on the structures and chirality of helices self-assembled from achiral cylinder-forming diblock copolymers under the confinement. Our results indicate that, when the designed patch is of proper geometry, it can induce the formation of helical structures and exhibit good control over their chirality. The bottom surface of the patch can induce the formation of a characteristic local structure near and parallel to it. It is the characteristic local structure that directs the formation of helices and of their chirality consistent with that of the patch. A large patch angle or the top/bottom surface of a weakly selective pore promotes the formation of double-helices compared to single-helices by enlarging the pitch of the helices near the patch or through the entropic attraction of the top surface of the pore to the minority blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiejun Hu
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Zheng Wang
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Yuhua Yin
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Run Jiang
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Baohui Li
- School of Physics, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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10
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Gupta S, Chokshi P. Self-Assembly of Polymer Grafted Nanoparticles within Spherically Confined Diblock Copolymers. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:11738-11749. [PMID: 33319558 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Geometric confinement plays an important role in the generation of interesting microstructures on account of structural frustration and confinement-induced entropy loss. In the present study, self-consistent field calculations have been performed to examine the self-assembly behavior of a mixture of diblock copolymers and polymer grafted nanoparticles within a spherical confinement. The analysis is aimed at obtaining the equilibrium distribution of nanoparticles with a high degree of order. The ordered mesophases of diblock copolymers provide useful templates to achieve ordering of nanoparticles in a selective domain. Self-assembly of nanoparticles within frustrated diblock copolymers is found to be very different from the bulk. A rich variety of equilibrium morphologies are observed depending on the degree of confinement and the extent of particle loading. In addition, the role of particle size and selectivity along with the length and the number of polymer chains grafted onto the surface of nanoparticles are analyzed to understand the self-assembly behavior. The specific interest is to obtain the chiral structures out of achiral block copolymers subjected to spherical confinement. The realization of various captivating microstructures, such as chiral ordering of nanoparticles, is highly essential to produce advanced nanomaterials with superior physical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
| | - Paresh Chokshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India
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11
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Huang H, Liu R, Ross CA, Alexander-Katz A. Self-Directed Self-Assembly of 3D Tailored Block Copolymer Nanostructures. ACS NANO 2020; 14:15182-15192. [PMID: 33074654 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c05417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymers (BCPs) provides a powerful tool to fabricate various 2D nanostructures. However, it still remains a challenge to extend DSA to make uniform and complex 3D nanostructures through BCP self-assembly. In this paper, we introduce a method to fabricate various nanostructures in 3D and test it using simulations. In particular, we employ dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation to demonstrate that uniform multilayer nanostructures can be achieved by alternating the stacking of two "orthogonal" BCPs films, AB copolymer film and AC copolymer film, without the need to cross-link or etch any of the components. The assembly of a new layer occurs on top of the previous bottom layer, and thus the structural information from the substrate is propagated upward in the film, a process we refer to as self-directed self-assembly (SDSA). If this process is repeated many times, one can have tailored multilayer nanostructures. Furthermore, the natural (bulk) phases of the block copolymers in each layer do not need to be the same, so one can achieve complex 3D assemblies that are not possible with a single-phase 3D system. This method in conjunction with grapho (or chemo) epitaxy is able to evolve a surface pattern into a 3D nanostructure. Here we show several examples of nanostructures fabricated by this process, which include aligned cylinders, spheres on top of cylinders, and orthogonal nanomeshes. Our work should be useful for creating complex 3D nanostructures using self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hejin Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Runze Liu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Caroline A Ross
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alfredo Alexander-Katz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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12
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Xie Q, Qiang Y, Zhang G, Li W. Emergence and Stability of Janus-Like Superstructures in an ABCA Linear Tetrablock Copolymer. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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13
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Gupta S, Chokshi P. Diblock copolymer templated self-assembly of grafted nanoparticles under circular pore confinement. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:3522-3535. [PMID: 32215433 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00124d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Geometrical confinement plays an important role in generating novel molecular organization arising out of structural frustration and confinement-induced entropy loss. In the present study, we perform self-consistent mean-field theoretical calculations to examine a mixture of a diblock copolymer and polymer grafted nanoparticles confined in a cylindrical nanopore. The two-dimensional analysis is aimed at constructing the equilibrium nanostructures decorated with particles in an ordered manner. The rich variety of ordered mesophases of the diblock copolymer under confinement provide a template to achieve the self-assembly of nanoparticles in a selective domain. The localization behavior of nanoparticles under confinement is found to be qualitatively different from that in a bulk system. In particular, for the concentric lamellar phase the particles tend to localize predominantly in the region of greater curvature within the curved lamella. The incorporation of grafted nanoparticles also results in a transition in ordered phases. Various equilibrium morphologies are observed depending upon the degree of confinement, particle loading, density of grafted segments and selectivity of the particle core to the polymeric species. The ordering of particles and the ensuing equilibrium nanostructures are analyzed. The comprehensive understanding of the self-assembly behavior of particles enables one to design novel nanomaterials with desirable material properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supriya Gupta
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
| | - Paresh Chokshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi 110 016, India.
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14
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Yue X, Geng Z, Yan N, Jiang W. Hierarchical self-assembly of a PS-b-P4VP/PS-b-PNIPAM mixture into multicompartment micelles and their response to two-dimensional confinement. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:1194-1203. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp05180e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Finely tuned synergistic effects among different blocks could realize intriguing hierarchical self-assembly of block copolymers and such hierarchical self-assembly could be manipulated by cylindrical confinement to tune the structures of assemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun 130022
- China
| | - Zhen Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun 130022
- China
| | - Nan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun 130022
- China
| | - Wei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry
- Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Changchun 130022
- China
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15
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Liu M, Chen K, Li W, Wang X. Tunable helical structures formed by ABC triblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:26333-26341. [PMID: 31782439 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04978a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Block copolymers confined in nanopores provide unique achiral systems for the formation of helical structures. With AB diblock copolymers, stable single and double helical structures are observed. Aiming to obtain more different helical structures, we replace the AB diblock copolymer with linear ABC triblock copolymers. We speculate that a core-shell superstructure is formed within the nanopore, which is composed of a C-core cylinder wrapped by B-helices within the A-shell. Accordingly, the pore surface is set to be most attractive to the majority A-block and a typical set of interaction parameters is chosen as χACN ≪ χABN = χBCN = 80 to generate the frustrated interfaces. Furthermore, the volume fraction of B-block is fixed as fB = 0.1 to form helical cylinders. A number of helical structures with strands ranging from 1 to 5 are predicted by self-consistent field theory, and in general, the number of strands decreases as the volume fraction of C-block fC increases in a given nanopore. More surprisingly, the variation of helical strand in the confined system has an opposite trend to that in the bulk, which mainly results from the constraint of the cylindrical confinement on the change of the curvature between the outer A-layer and the inner B/C-superdomain. Our work demonstrates a facile way to fabricate different helical superstructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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16
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Zhang Q, Qiang Y, Duan C, Li W. Single Helix Self-Assembled by Frustrated ABC 2 Branched Terpolymers. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chao Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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17
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Zhang Q, Gu J, Zhang L, Lin J. Diverse chiral assemblies of nanoparticles directed by achiral block copolymers via nanochannel confinement. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:474-484. [PMID: 30566160 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr07036a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
It is a challenging task to realize large-area manufacture of chiral geometries of nanoparticles in solid-state materials, which exhibit strongly chiroptical responses in the visible and near-infrared ranges. Herein, novel nanocomposites, made from mixtures of achiral block copolymers and nanoparticles in a geometrically confined environment, are conceptually proposed to construct the chiral assemblies of nanoparticles through a joint theoretical-calculation framework and experimental discussion. It is found that the nanochannel-confined block copolymers self-assemble into a family of intrinsically chiral architectures, which serve as structural scaffolds to direct the chiral arrangement of nanoparticles. Through calculations of chiral order parameters and simulations of discrete dipole approximation, it is further demonstrated that certain members of this family of nanoparticle assemblies exhibit intense chiroptical activity, which can be tailored by the nanochannel radius and the nanoparticle loading. These findings highlight the multiple levels of structural control over a class of chiral assemblies of nanoparticles and the functionalities of emerging materials via careful design and selection of nanocomposites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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18
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Yang T, Xue H, Cao R, Li W. Formation of homochiral helical nanostructures in diblock copolymers under the confinement of nanopores. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:7067-7074. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cp00227h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The control of the homochirality of helical structures formed in achiral systems is of great interest as it is helpful for understanding the origin of homochirality in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Information Sensing & Intelligent Desert
- School of Physics and Electronic-Electrical Engineering
- Ningxia University
- Yinchuan 750021
- China
| | - Haiyan Xue
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Information Sensing & Intelligent Desert
- School of Physics and Electronic-Electrical Engineering
- Ningxia University
- Yinchuan 750021
- China
| | - Ruifang Cao
- Xinhua College of Ningxia University
- Yinchuan 750021
- China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers
- Department of Macromolecular Science
- Fudan University
- Shanghai 200433
- China
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19
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Molecular self-assembly of one-dimensional polymer nanostructures in nanopores of anodic alumina oxide templates. Prog Polym Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2017.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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Chang CW, Cheng MH, Ko HW, Chu CW, Tu YH, Chen JT. Microwave-annealing-induced nanowetting of block copolymers in cylindrical nanopores. SOFT MATTER 2017; 14:35-41. [PMID: 29210440 DOI: 10.1039/c7sm02103h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers have attracted great attention because of their abilities to self-assemble into well-ordered microphase-separated structures. To generate nanopatterns of block copolymers with long-range ordering and low-defect densities in shorter time scales, microwave annealing has recently been applied. Microwave annealing, however, has so far only been used for block copolymer bulks and thin films. In this work, we discover that microwave annealing can be successfully applied to three-dimensional block copolymer nanostructures by studying the infiltration and microphase separation of block copolymers in cylindrical nanopores upon microwave irradiation. Cylinder-forming and lamella-forming poly(styrene-block-dimethylsiloxane) (PS-b-PDMS) are introduced into the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. In addition, AAO templates with different pore sizes are used to study the effect of the commensurabilities between the pore diameters and the repeating periods of the block copolymers on the morphologies of the block copolymer nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.
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21
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Yau MY, Gunkel I, Hartmann-Azanza B, Akram W, Wang Y, Thurn-Albrecht T, Steinhart M. Semicrystalline Block Copolymers in Rigid Confining Nanopores. Macromolecules 2017; 50:8637-8646. [PMID: 30174341 PMCID: PMC6114844 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
We have investigated PLLA crystallization in lamellae-forming PS-b-PLLA confined to straight cylindrical nanopores under weak confinement (nanopore diameter D/equilibrium PS-b-PLLA period L0 ≥ 4.8). Molten PS-b-PLLA predominantly forms concentric lamellae along the nanopores, but intertwined helices occur even for D/L0 ≈ 7.3. Quenching PS-b-PLLA melts below TG(PS) results in PLLA cold crystallization strictly confined by the vitrified PS domains. Above TG(PS), PLLA crystallization is templated by the PS-b-PLLA melt domain structure in the nanopore centers, while adsorption on the nanopore walls stabilizes the outermost cylindrical PS-b-PLLA shell. In between, the nanoscopic PS-b-PLLA melt domain structure apparently ripens to reduce frustrations transmitted from the outermost immobilized PS-b-PLLA layer. The onset of PLLA crystallization catalyzes the ripening while transient ripening states are arrested by advancing PLLA crystallization. Certain helical structure motifs persist PLLA crystallization even if PS is soft. The direction of fastest PLLA crystal growth is preferentially aligned with the nanopore axes to the same degree as for PLLA homopolymer, independent of whether PS is vitreous or soft.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Yan
Eric Yau
- Institut
für Chemie neuer Materialien, Universität
Osnabrück, Barbarastr.7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Ilja Gunkel
- Institut
für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Brigitte Hartmann-Azanza
- Institut
für Chemie neuer Materialien, Universität
Osnabrück, Barbarastr.7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Wajiha Akram
- Institut
für Chemie neuer Materialien, Universität
Osnabrück, Barbarastr.7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Yong Wang
- State
Key Lab of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering; College of Chemical
Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Xin Mofan Road 5, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Thomas Thurn-Albrecht
- Institut
für Physik, Martin-Luther-Universität
Halle-Wittenberg, D-06099 Halle, Germany
| | - Martin Steinhart
- Institut
für Chemie neuer Materialien, Universität
Osnabrück, Barbarastr.7, 49076 Osnabrück, Germany
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22
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Liu M, Li W, Wang X. Order-order transitions of diblock copolymer melts under cylindrical confinement. J Chem Phys 2017; 147:114903. [PMID: 28938804 DOI: 10.1063/1.5004181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly behavior of AB diblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement is investigated using the self-consistent field theory. We focus on the impact of the confinement on the order-order transitions of three-dimensional morphologies by constructing two types of phase diagrams with continuously varying block compositions. One type is with respect to the block composition and the immiscibility parameter for various pore sizes, in which the order-order transitions are shown to be strongly impacted by the pore curvature and thus largely different from the bulk ones. Note that the morphologies are categorized by the intrinsical geometry of their domains, i.e., that helical morphologies are regarded as one type of cylindrical phase. Another type of phase diagram is with respect to the block composition and the pore diameter, which exhibits a number of interesting order-order transitions, especially the transition sequence from a straight line of spheres, to one straight cylinder and stacked disks as the pore diameter increases. A critical point is observed at which the stability region of the straight cylinder vanishes and thereby the spheres transform into the stacked disks continuously. The mechanism of these phase transitions is rationalized in the context of the bulk factors as well as an additional factor, i.e., the competition between the spontaneous curvature of the copolymer and the imposed curvature by the nanopore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Education Ministry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xinping Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Advanced Textile Materials and Manufacturing Technology of Education Ministry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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Cheng MH, Hsu YC, Chang CW, Ko HW, Chung PY, Chen JT. Blending Homopolymers for Controlling the Morphology Transitions of Block Copolymer Nanorods Confined in Cylindrical Nanopores. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:21010-21016. [PMID: 28558189 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b05415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The microphase separation of block copolymers in confined geometries has been widely investigated over the last few decades. The controllability and versatility of the confinement-induced morphologies, however, are still difficult to be achieved because of the limited experimental parameters in the process of fabricating the confined nanostructures. In this work, we study the morphology transitions of lamellae-forming polystyrene-block-polydimethylsiloxane (PS-b-PDMS) nanorods confined in the nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The nanorods are formed by solvent-assisted template wetting, and the morphologies are compared to those in the bulk state. By blending PS-b-PDMS with homopolystyrene (hPS), the morphologies of the nanorods can be controlled because of the changes of the effective volume fractions. Special morphology transitions from concentric lamellar morphology, to multihelical morphology, and finally to spherical-like morphology are observed by increasing the weight ratios of hPS. hPS with different molecular weights is also applied to investigate the effect of hPS on the morphologies of the PS-b-PDMS/hPS blend nanostructures. The unusual morphologies are further confirmed by a selective removal process, which also generates nanochannels for possible refilling with functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hsiang Cheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
| | - Yu-Chen Hsu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
| | - Chun-Wei Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
| | - Hao-Wen Ko
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
| | - Pei-Yun Chung
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu, Taiwan 30010
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Chang CW, Chi MH, Ko HW, Chu CW, Fang ZX, Tu YH, Chen JT. Selective solvent-induced reconstruction in confined space: one-dimensional mesoporous block copolymer structures in cylindrical nanopores. Polym Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7py00579b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The formation of polymer nanostructures confined in cylindrical nanopores via a novel selective solvent-induced reconstruction process is investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Wei Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Mu-Huan Chi
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Hao-Wen Ko
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wei Chu
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Zhi-Xuan Fang
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Tu
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry
- National Chiao Tung University
- Hsinchu 30010
- Taiwan
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26
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Yan N, Zhu Y, Jiang W. Self-Assembly of AB Diblock Copolymer Confined in a Soft Nano-Droplet: A Combination Study by Monte Carlo Simulation and Experiment. J Phys Chem B 2016; 120:12023-12029. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b10170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer
Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yutian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer
Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer
Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, People’s Republic of China
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27
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Wang C, Xu Y, Li W, Lin Z. Rich Variety of Three-Dimensional Nanostructures Enabled by Geometrically Constraining Star-like Block Copolymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2016; 32:7908-7916. [PMID: 27389278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6b01904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The influence of star-like architecture on phase behavior of star-like block copolymer under cylindrical confinement differs largely from the bulk (i.e., nonconfinement). A set of intriguing self-assembled morphologies and the corresponding phase diagrams of star-like (AB)f diblock copolymers with different numbers of arms f (i.e., f = 3, 9, 15, and 21) in four scenarios (ϕA = 0.3 and V0 > 0; ϕA = 0.3 and V0 < 0; ϕA = 0.7 and V0 > 0; and ϕA = 0.7 and V0 < 0 (where ϕA is the volume fraction of A block) and V0 < 0 and V0 > 0 represent that the pore wall of cylindrical confinement prefers the inner A block (i.e., A-preferential) and B block (i.e., B-preferential), respectively) were for the first time scrutinized by employing the pseudospectral method of self-consistent mean-field theory. Surprisingly, a new nanoscopic phase, that is, perforated-lamellae-on-cylinder (denoted PC), was observed in star-like (AB)3 diblock copolymer at ϕA = 0.3 and V0 > 0. With a further increase in f, a single lamellae (denoted L1) was found to possess a larger phase region. Under the confinement of A-preferential wall (i.e., V0 < 0) at ϕA = 0.3, PC phase became metastable and its free energy increased as f increased. Quite intriguingly, when ϕA = 0.7 and V0 > 0, where an inverted cylinder was formed in bulk, the PC phase became stable, and its free energy decreased as f increased, suggesting the propensity to form PC phase under this condition. Moreover, in stark contrast to the phase transition of C1 → L1 → PC (C1, a single cylindrical microdmain) at ϕA = 0.3 and V0 > 0, when subjected to the A-preferential wall (ϕA = 0.7), a different phase transition sequence (i.e., C1 → PC → L1) was identified due to the formation of a double-layer structure. On the basis of our calculations, the influence of star-like architecture on (AB)f diblock copolymer under the imposed cylindrical confinement, particularly the shift of the phase boundaries as a function of f, was thoroughly understood. These self-assembled nanostructures may hold the promise for applications as lithographic templates for nanowires, photonic crystals, and nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University , Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Yuci Xu
- Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University , Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymer, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University , Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Zhiqun Lin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta, Georgia 30332, United States
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28
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Self-assembly of tiling-forming ABC star triblock copolymers in cylindrical nanotubes: A study of self-consistent field theory. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2016.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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29
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Avalos E, Higuchi T, Teramoto T, Yabu H, Nishiura Y. Frustrated phases under three-dimensional confinement simulated by a set of coupled Cahn-Hilliard equations. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:5905-5914. [PMID: 27337660 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00429f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We numerically study a set of coupled Cahn-Hilliard equations as a means to find morphologies of diblock copolymers in three-dimensional spherical confinement. This approach allows us to find a variety of energy minimizers including rings, tennis balls, Janus balls and multipods among several others. Phase diagrams of confined morphologies are presented. We modify the size of the interface between microphases to control the number of holes in multipod morphologies. Comparison to experimental observation by transmission electron microtomography of multipods in polystyrene-polyisoprene diblock copolymers is also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Avalos
- WPI-Research Center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeshi Higuchi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takashi Teramoto
- Department of Mathematics, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1, Midorigaoka-higashi, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Yabu
- WPI-Research Center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Yasumasa Nishiura
- WPI-Research Center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
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30
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Morphologies and phase diagrams of ABC star triblock copolymers in cylindrical nanotubes with homogenous and patterned surfaces. POLYMER 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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31
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Chu CJ, Cheng MH, Chung PY, Chi MH, Jeng KS, Chen JT. Reversible morphology control of three-dimensional block copolymer nanostructures by the solvent-annealing-induced wetting in anodic aluminum oxide templates. INT J POLYM MATER PO 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00914037.2016.1157801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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32
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Chu CJ, Chung PY, Chu CW, Cheng MH, Chi MH, Chang CW, Chen JT. Competition Between Effects of Pore Sizes and Annealing Solvents on the Morphology Manipulation of 3D Block Copolymer Nanostructures Using Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201600069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiang-Jui Chu
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yun Chung
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Chien-Wei Chu
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsiang Cheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Mu-Huan Chi
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wei Chang
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
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Mijangos C, Hernández R, Martín J. A review on the progress of polymer nanostructures with modulated morphologies and properties, using nanoporous AAO templates. Prog Polym Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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35
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Zhang L, Wang T, Shen Z, Liu M. Chiral Nanoarchitectonics: Towards the Design, Self-Assembly, and Function of Nanoscale Chiral Twists and Helices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2016; 28:1044-59. [PMID: 26385875 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201502590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Helical structures such as double helical DNA and the α-helical proteins found in biological systems are among the most beautiful natural structures. Chiral nanoarchitectonics, which is used here to describe the hierarchical formation and fabrication of chiral nanoarchitectures that can be observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), or transmission electron microscopy (TEM), is one of the most effective ways to mimic those natural chiral nanostructures. This article focuses on the formation, structure, and function of the most common chiral nanoarchitectures: nanoscale chiral twists and helices. The types of molecules that can be designed and how they can form hierarchical chiral nanoarchitectures are explored. In addition, new and unique functions such as amplified chiral sensing, chiral separation, biological effects, and circularly polarized luminescence associated with the chiral nanoarchitectures are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyu Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaocun Shen
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
| | - Minghua Liu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science (BNLMS), CAS Key Laboratory of Colloid, Interface and Chemical Thermodynamics, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, People's Republic of China
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36
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Hung WS, An QF, Hu CC, Lee KR, Jean YC, Lai JY. Non-destructive means of probing a composite polyamide membrane for characteristic free volume, void, and chemical composition. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra16047f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Positron annihilation spectroscopy measures free volume in membranes at the sub-nanometer scale (0.1–1 nm).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Song Hung
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology and Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chung Yuan University
- Chung Li 32023
- Taiwan
| | - Quan-Fu An
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization
- Department of Polymer Science & Engineering
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou 310027
- China
| | - Chien-Chieh Hu
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology and Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chung Yuan University
- Chung Li 32023
- Taiwan
| | - Kueir-Rarn Lee
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology and Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chung Yuan University
- Chung Li 32023
- Taiwan
| | - Yan-Ching Jean
- Department of Chemistry
- University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Kansas City
- USA
| | - Juin-Yih Lai
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology and Department of Chemical Engineering
- Chung Yuan University
- Chung Li 32023
- Taiwan
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37
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Yao IC, Cheng MH, Chen JT. Block Copolymer Micelle Nanotubes by the Solvent-Annealing-Induced Nanowetting in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates. MACROMOL CHEM PHYS 2015. [DOI: 10.1002/macp.201500264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I-Chun Yao
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsiang Cheng
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu 30010 Taiwan
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38
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Pitet LM, Alexander-Moonen E, Peeters E, Druzhinina TS, Wuister SF, Lynd NA, Meijer EW. Probing the Effect of Molecular Nonuniformity in Directed Self-Assembly of Diblock Copolymers in Nanoconfined Space. ACS NANO 2015; 9:9594-9602. [PMID: 26503195 DOI: 10.1021/nn505886z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Various complex self-assembled morphologies of lamellar- and cylinder-forming block copolymers comprising poly(dimethylsiloxane)-b-polylactide (PDMS-b-PLA) confined in cylindrical channels were generated. Combining top-down lithography with bottom-up block copolymer self-assembly grants access to morphologies that are otherwise inaccessible with the bulk materials. Channel diameter (D) was systematically varied with four diblock copolymers having different compositions and bulk domain spacing (L0), corresponding to a range of frustration ratios (D/L0 from 2 to 4). Excessive packing frustration imposed by the channels leads to contorted domains. The resulting morphologies depend strongly on both D/L0 and copolymer composition. Under several circumstances, mixtures of complex morphologies were observed, which hypothetically arise from the severe sensitivity to D/L0 combined with the inherent compositional/molar mass dispersities associated with the nonuniform synthetic materials and silicon templates. Stochastic calculations offer compelling support for the hypothesis, and tractable pathways toward solving this apparent conundrum are proposed. The materials hold great promise for next-generation nanofabrication to address several emerging technologies, offering significantly enhanced versatility to basic diblock copolymers as templates for fabricating complex nanoscale objects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis M Pitet
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory for Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology , P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Els Alexander-Moonen
- Philips Group Innovation, Research , High Tech Campus 7, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Emiel Peeters
- Philips Group Innovation, Research , High Tech Campus 7, 5656 AE Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Nathaniel A Lynd
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - E W Meijer
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems and Laboratory for Macromolecular and Organic Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology , P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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He X, Zou Z, Kan D, Liang H. Self-assembly of diblock copolymer confined in an array-structure space. J Chem Phys 2015; 142:101912. [PMID: 25770501 DOI: 10.1063/1.4907532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The combination of top-down and bottom-up technologies is an effective method to create the novel nanostructures with long range order in the field of advanced materials manufacture. In this work, we employed a polymeric self-consistent field theory to investigate the pattern formation of diblock copolymer in a 2D confinement system designed by filling pillar arrays with various 2D shapes such as squares, rectangles, and triangles. Our simulation shows that in such confinement system, the microphase structure of diblock copolymer strongly depends on the pitch, shape, size, and rotation of the pillar as well as the surface field of confinement. The array structures can not only induce the formation of new phase patterns but also control the location and orientation of pattern structures. Finally, several methods to tune the commensuration and frustration of array-structure confinement are proposed and examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehao He
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Zhixiang Zou
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Di Kan
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Tianjin University, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Haojun Liang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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41
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Yan N, Sheng Y, Liu H, Zhu Y, Jiang W. Templated self-assembly of block copolymers and morphology transformation driven by the Rayleigh instability. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:1660-1669. [PMID: 25578803 DOI: 10.1021/la504672x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, we investigate the self-assembly of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) confined in the nanopores of the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template and the subsequent morphology transformation induced by the Rayleigh instability. PS-b-P4VP nanotubes and nanorods with various internal nanostructures are fabricated by wetting the AAO template with PS-b-P4VP/chloroform solution, and then followed by solvent evaporation. After the removal of AAO template by potassium hydroxide solution, several different solvents (chloroform, toluene, and N,N-dimethylformamide) with different qualities are used to swell and anneal those nanotubes and nanorods suspended in aqueous media. Morphology transformation from nanostructured PS-b-P4VP nanotubes or nanorods to ordered nanospheres is observed by annealing upon chloroform and toluene while the morphology remains unchanged upon N,N-dimethylformamide annealing, indicating that solvent quality is a key factor in tuning the morphology and internal structures. Kinetics study and theoretical analysis for the morphology transition from two-dimensional (2D) block copolymer (BCP) nanotubes and nanorods to three-dimensional (3D) BCP nanospheres are further performed. From the morphological evolution and the quantitative calculation, it is confirmed that this transition is induced by the Rayleigh instability. This study provides a simple but promising method, that is, solvent annealing method, for the fabrication of BCP nanospheres with ordered internal nanostructures, which may have great application in drug delivery and other nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Changchun 130022, People's Republic of China
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42
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Phase Behavior of Copolymers Confined in Multi-Walled Nanotubes: Insights from Simulations. Polymers (Basel) 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/polym7010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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43
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Chu CJ, Chung PY, Chi MH, Kao YH, Chen JT. Three-Dimensional Block Copolymer Nanostructures by the Solvent-Annealing-Induced Wetting in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates. Macromol Rapid Commun 2014; 35:1598-605. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.201400222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Revised: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chiang-Jui Chu
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu Taiwan 30050 Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yun Chung
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu Taiwan 30050 Republic of China
| | - Mu-Huan Chi
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu Taiwan 30050 Republic of China
| | - Yi-Huei Kao
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu Taiwan 30050 Republic of China
| | - Jiun-Tai Chen
- Department of Applied Chemistry; National Chiao Tung University; Hsinchu Taiwan 30050 Republic of China
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44
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Maiz J, Zhao W, Gu Y, Lawrence J, Arbe A, Alegría A, Emrick T, Colmenero J, Russell TP, Mijangos C. Dynamic study of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) copolymer in bulk and confined in cylindrical nanopores. POLYMER 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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45
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Hao QH, Miao B, Song QG, Niu XH, Liu TJ. Phase behaviors of sphere-forming triblock copolymers confined in nanopores: A dynamic density functional theory study. POLYMER 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2014.06.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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46
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Michell RM, Blaszczyk-Lezak I, Mijangos C, Müller AJ. Confined crystallization of polymers within anodic aluminum oxide templates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/polb.23553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rose Mary Michell
- Grupo de Polímeros USB, Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-A Venezuela
| | - Iwona Blaszczyk-Lezak
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, CSIC; Juan de la Cierva, 3 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - Carmen Mijangos
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros, CSIC; Juan de la Cierva, 3 28006 Madrid Spain
- Institute for Polymer Materials (POLYMAT) and Polymer Science and Technology Department; Faculty of Chemistry; University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU); Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science; E-48011 Bilbao Spain
| | - Alejandro J. Müller
- Grupo de Polímeros USB, Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-A Venezuela
- Institute for Polymer Materials (POLYMAT) and Polymer Science and Technology Department; Faculty of Chemistry; University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU); Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 3 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science; E-48011 Bilbao Spain
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Lee D, Kim MH, Bae D, Jeon G, Kim M, Kwak J, Park SJ, Kim JU, Kim JK. Arrangement of Lamellar Microdomains of Block Copolymer Confined in Hemispherical Cavities Having Two Controlled Interfaces. Macromolecules 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/ma500761e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dagam Lee
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Hyun Kim
- School
of Mechanical and Advanced Materials Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Dusik Bae
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Gumhye Jeon
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Mooseong Kim
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongheon Kwak
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
| | - So Jung Park
- School
of Mechanical and Advanced Materials Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeup U. Kim
- School
of Mechanical and Advanced Materials Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Kon Kim
- National
Creative Research Initiative Center for Smart Block Copolymers, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
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Zhang R, Zeng X, Prehm M, Liu F, Grimm S, Geuss M, Steinhart M, Tschierske C, Ungar G. Honeycombs in honeycombs: complex liquid crystal alumina composite mesostructures. ACS NANO 2014; 8:4500-4509. [PMID: 24758721 DOI: 10.1021/nn406368e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to study orientation patterns of two polyphilic liquid crystals (LC) confined to cylindrical pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO). The hierarchical hybrid systems had the LC honeycomb (lattice parameter 3.5-4 nm) inside the pores of the AAO honeycomb (diameters 60 and 400 nm). By conducting complete reciprocal space mapping using SAXS, we conclude that the columns of both compounds align in planes normal to the AAO pore axis, with a specific crystallographic direction of the LC lattice aligning strictly parallel to the pore axis. AFM of LC-containing AAO fracture surfaces further revealed that the columns of the planar anchoring LC (compound 1) formed concentric circles in the plane normal to the pore axis near the AAO wall. Toward the pore center, the circles become anisometric "racetrack" loops consisting of two straight segments and two semicircles. This mode compensates for slight ellipticity of the pore cross section. Indications are, however, that for perfectly circular pores, circular shape is maintained right to the center of the pore, the radius coming down to the size of a molecule. For the homeotropically anchoring compound 2, the columns are to the most part straight and parallel to each other, arranged in layers normal to the AAO pore axis, like logs in an ordered pile. Only near the pore wall the columns splay somewhat. In both cases, columns are confined to layers strictly perpendicular to the AAO pore axis, and there is no sign of escape to the third dimension or of axial orientation, the latter having been reported previously for some discotic LCs. The main cause of the two new LC configurations, the "racetrack" and the "logpile", and of their difference from those of confined nematic LC, is the very high splay energy and low bend energy of columnar phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibin Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield , Sheffield S1 3JD, United Kingdom
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49
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Michell RM, Blaszczyk-Lezak I, Mijangos C, Müller AJ. Confinement Induced First Order Crystallization Kinetics for the Poly(ethylene oxide) Block within A PEO-b
-PB Diblock Copolymer Infiltrated within Alumina Nano-Porous Template. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/masy.201450313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rose Mary Michell
- Grupo de Polímeros USB, Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-A Venezuela
| | - Iwona Blaszczyk-Lezak
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros; CSIC; Juan de la Cierva, 3 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - Carmen Mijangos
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros; CSIC; Juan de la Cierva, 3 28006 Madrid Spain
| | - Alejandro J. Müller
- Grupo de Polímeros USB, Departamento de Ciencia de los Materiales; Universidad Simón Bolívar; Apartado 89000 Caracas 1080-A Venezuela
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50
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Li J, Zhang H, Qiu F. Self-consistent field theory of block copolymers on a general curved surface. THE EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL. E, SOFT MATTER 2014; 37:18. [PMID: 24664410 DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2014-14018-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we propose a theoretical framework based on the self-consistent field theory (SCFT) for the study of self-assembling block copolymers on a general curved surface. Relevant numerical algorithms are also developed. To demonstrate the power of the approach, we calculate the self-assembled patterns of diblock copolymers on three distinct curved surfaces with different genus. We specially study the geometrical effects of curved surfaces on the conformation of polymer chains as well as on the pattern formation of block copolymers. By carefully examining the diffusion equation of the propagator on curved surfaces, it is predicted that Gaussian chains are completely unaware of the extrinsic curvature but that they will respond to the intrinsic curvature of the surface. This theoretical assertion is consistent with our SCFT simulations of block copolymers on general curved surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, 200433, Shanghai, China,
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