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Gavrilov AA. Effect of the counterion size on microphase separation in charged-neutral diblock copolymers. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:054901. [PMID: 36754807 DOI: 10.1063/5.0134164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, the question of the influence of the counterion size on the self-assembly in melts of diblock copolymers with one charged block was studied using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. It was assumed that the blocks were fully compatible, i.e., the Flory-Huggins parameter χ between them was equal to 0. Due to the presence of correlation attraction (electrostatic cohesion) between the charged species, the systems with all types of counterions underwent transitions to ordered states, forming various morphologies, including lamellae, perforated lamellae, and hexagonally packed cylinders. Phase diagrams were constructed by varying the chain composition fc and locating the order-disorder transition positions in terms of the electrostatic strength parameter λ (dimensionless Bjerrum length). Despite having a rather large ion size mismatch, the systems with smaller counterions demonstrated an even better tendency to form microphase separated states than the systems with larger ones. It was found that the differences between the phase diagrams of the systems with different counterions can be roughly rationalized by using coordinates (volume fraction of the charged block φc-modified interaction parameter λ*). The latter parameter assumes that the electrostatic energy is simply inversely proportional to the characteristic distance between the ions of different signs. Such an approach appeared to be rather effective and allowed the diagrams obtained for different counterion sizes to almost coincide. The results of this work suggest that the counterion size can be used as a tool to control the system morphology as well as the effective incompatibility between the blocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey A Gavrilov
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia and A.N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organoelement Compounds Russian Academy of Sciences (INEOS RAS), 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Piñón-Balderrama CI, Leyva-Porras C, Conejo-Dávila AS, Zaragoza-Contreras EA. Sulfonated Block Copolymers: Synthesis, Chemical Modification, Self-Assembly Morphologies, and Recent Applications. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14235081. [PMID: 36501479 PMCID: PMC9740409 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific research based on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymers (BCs) comprising charged-neutral segments has emerged as a novel strategy mainly looking for the optimization of efficiency in the generation and storage of electrical energy. The sulfonation reaction re- presents one of the most commonly employed methodologies by scientific investigations to reach the desired amphiphilic character, leading to enough ion concentration to modify and control the entire self-assembly behavior of the BCs. Recently, several works have studied and exploited these changes, inducing improvement on the mechanical properties, ionic conduction capabilities, colloidal solubility, interface activity, and stabilization of dispersed particles, among others. This review aims to present a description of recent works focused on obtaining amphiphilic block copolymers, specifically those that were synthesized by a living/controlled polymerization method and that have introduced the amphiphilic character by the sulfonation of one of the segments. Additionally, relevant works that have evidenced morphological and/or structural changes regarding the pristine BC as a result of the chemical modification are discussed. Finally, several emerging practical applications are analyzed to highlight the main drawbacks and challenges that should be addressed to overcome the development and understanding of these complex systems.
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Zhang ZK, Ding SP, Ye Z, Xia DL, Xu JT. Thermodynamic understanding the phase behavior of fully quaternized poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) block copolymers. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2022.125045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Zhang B, Zheng C, Sims MB, Bates FS, Lodge TP. Influence of Charge Fraction on the Phase Behavior of Symmetric Single-Ion Conducting Diblock Copolymers. ACS Macro Lett 2021; 10:1035-1040. [PMID: 35549119 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A series of symmetric poly[(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-oligo(ethylene glycol) propyl sodium sulfonate methacrylate)]-block-polystyrene (PsOEGMA-PS) diblock copolymers were synthesized as a model system to probe the effect of charge fraction on the phase behavior of charged-neutral single-ion conducting diblock copolymers. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments showed that increasing the charge fraction does not alter the ordered phase morphology (lamellar) but increases the order-disorder transition temperature (TODT) significantly. Additionally, the effective Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χeff) was found to increase linearly with the charge fraction, similar to the case of conventional salt-doped diblock copolymers. This indicates that the effect of counterion solvation, attributed to the significant mismatch between the dielectric constant of each block, provides the dominant effect in tuning the phase behavior of this charged diblock copolymer. We therefore infer that electrostatic cohesion (local charge ordering induced by Coulombic interactions), which is predicted to suppress microphase separation and lead to asymmetric phase diagrams, only plays a minor role in this model system.
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Yu Y, Xie F, Gao X, Zheng L. Double-network hydrogels with adjustable surface morphology and multifunctional integration for flexible strain sensors. SOFT MATTER 2021; 17:4352-4362. [PMID: 33908588 DOI: 10.1039/d1sm00158b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The next generation of high-performance flexible electronics has put forward new demands on the development of ionic conductive hydrogels. In recent years, many efforts have been made toward developing double-network (DN) hydrogels due to their excellent mechanical properties and unique network structures. However, profound challenges remain in achieving controllable surface morphology and multifunctional integration within DN hydrogels. In this work, we report the fabrication of a multifunctional DN hydrogel by multiple cross-linking between an innovative K+-containing poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) and κ-carrageenan. The resulting hydrogel possesses fascinating physicochemical properties, ranging from remarkable mechanical properties and machinability to adjustable surface morphology and superior adhesion ability. The extremely versatile DN hydrogels exhibited outstanding potential for the future of wearable strain sensors in real-time monitoring of human health, and the optimized design strategy opens new possibilities for the fabrication of multiscale structured and multifunctional integrated ionic conductive hydrogels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Fengjin Xie
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xinpei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
| | - Liqiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, Jinan, 250100, People's Republic of China.
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Ma B, Olvera de la Cruz M. A Perspective on the Design of Ion-Containing Polymers for Polymer Electrolyte Applications. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:3015-3022. [PMID: 33635658 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.0c08707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ion-containing polymers have numerous potential applications as energy storage and conversion devices, water purification membranes, and gas separation membranes, to name a few. Given the low dielectric constant of the media, ions and charges on polymers in a molten state interact strongly producing large effects on chain statistics, thermodynamics, and diffusion properties. Here, we discuss recent research accomplishments on the effects of ionic correlation and dielectric heterogeneity on the phase behavior of ion-containing polymers. Progress made in studying ion transport properties in these material systems is also highlighted. Charged block copolymers (BCPs), among all kinds of ion-containing polymers, have a particular advantage owing to their robust mechanical support and ion conducting paths provided by the segregation of the neutral and charged blocks. Coulombic interactions among the charges play a critical role in determining the phase segregation in charged BCPs and the domain size of charge-rich regions. We show that strongly charged BCPs display ordered phases as a result of electrostatic interactions alone. In addition, bulky charge-containing side groups attached to the charged block lead to the formation of morphologies that provide continuous channels and better dissociation for ion conduction purposes. Finally, a few avenues for designing ion-containing polymers for energy applications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boran Ma
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
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Jung FA, Posselt D, Smilgies DM, Panteli PA, Tsitsilianis C, Patrickios CS, Papadakis CM. Charge-Dependent Microphase Separation in Thin Films from a Multiresponsive Pentablock Quaterpolymer: A GISAXS Investigation. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian A. Jung
- Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
| | - Dorthe Posselt
- IMFUFA, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, P.O. Box 260, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Detlef-M. Smilgies
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Panayiota A. Panteli
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Costas S. Patrickios
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus, P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Christine M. Papadakis
- Fachgebiet Physik weicher Materie, Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching, Germany
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Liu LY, Yu ZX, Liu LX, Yang JQ, Hao QH, Wei T, Tan HG. Self-assembly of polyelectrolyte diblock copolymers within mixtures of monovalent and multivalent counterions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:16334-16344. [PMID: 32648562 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01019g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In this study, the self-assembly behavior of polyelectrolyte (PE) diblock copolymers in solutions containing mixtures of monovalent and multivalent counterions was investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The properties of the assembled micelles and counterion condensations at different charge fractions of multivalent ions have been discussed. The bridging effect of multivalent ions induces the electrostatic correlations of the PE chains, leading to the fusion of large micelles and the formation of bulky aggregates. Notably, lamellar and well-organized face-centered cubic (FCC) arrangements of the assembled micelles were observed in the mixture of monovalent and trivalent ions. At large fractions of multivalent ions, cylindrical and lamellar precipitates composed of the assembled micelles were formed owing to the inter-connecting coronas. The mixtures of monovalent and multivalent counterions allow the regulation of the electrostatic interactions and tuning of the properties in assembled micelles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yan Liu
- College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, China.
| | - Zhong-Xun Yu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China
| | - Li-Xiang Liu
- College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, China.
| | - Jing-Qi Yang
- College of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation University of China, China
| | - Qing-Hai Hao
- College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, China.
| | - Tong Wei
- College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, China.
| | - Hong-Ge Tan
- College of Science, Civil Aviation University of China, China.
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Self-Assembly of Block Copolymers. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:polym12040794. [PMID: 32252360 PMCID: PMC7240424 DOI: 10.3390/polym12040794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Rumyantsev AM, de Pablo JJ. Microphase Separation in Polyelectrolyte Blends: Weak Segregation Theory and Relation to Nuclear “Pasta”. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b02466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Artem M. Rumyantsev
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Juan J. de Pablo
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
- Center for Molecular Engineering, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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Rumyantsev AM, Gavrilov AA, Kramarenko EY. Electrostatically Stabilized Microphase Separation in Blends of Oppositely Charged Polyelectrolytes. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Artem M. Rumyantsev
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey A. Gavrilov
- Faculty of Physics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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