100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Block Copolymer Particles: Tuning Shape, Interfaces, and Morphology

Abstract

Confined assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) is receiving increasing attention due to the ability to create unconventional morphologies that cannot be observed in the corresponding bulk systems. This effect is further driven by the simplicity and versatility of these procedures for controlling the shape of particles prepared by 3D soft confinement of BCPs in emulsions. By taking advantage of a mobile emulsion interface, the one-step formation of nonspherical BCP particles through spontaneous deformation is possible with design principles and theoretical models for controlling shape/nanostructure now being established. This Viewpoint highlights strategies for shape tuning of BCP particles, currently accessible shapes, their controllability, and potential application. The emergence of 3D soft confinement of BCPs and related theory is overviewed with a focus on current strategies, types of nonspherical shapes achieved, and structure–property relationships for nonspherical BCP particles. Finally, the applications and future perspectives for these materials are discussed.

Transformable Colloidal Polymer Particles with Ordered Internal Structures

“…[ 1–8 ] A 3D confined assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) that enables the generation of internally ordered colloidal particles with various shapes has received increasing attentions in the last two decades. [ 9–18 ] In particular, lots of efforts have been paid to an emulsion solvent evaporation‐induced 3D soft confined assembly. [ 19–26 ] Attributed to the deformable shape, adjustable size, and boundary conditions, emulsion droplets enable flexible designing for the morphology of BCP colloidal particles.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] A 3D confined assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) that enables the generation of internally ordered colloidal particles with various shapes has received increasing attentions in the last two decades. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] In particular, lots of efforts have been paid to an emulsion solvent evaporation-induced Based on studies combining experiments and simulations, internally ordered colloidal particles that are able to undergo morphological transformations both in shape and internal structure are presented. The particles are prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation-induced 3D soft confined assembly of diblock copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP).…”

Responsive Nanostructured Polymer Particles

“…A number of well-organized reviews covering recent progress in the development of BCP particles have been published in recent years [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Previous papers reviewing BCP particles focused on studies of the internal morphology of BCP particles under the 3D-confinement effect.…”

Responsive Colloidal Polymer Particles with Ordered Mesostructures

“…[ 1 ] Size, shape, and internal mesostructure are the most fundamental and essential features of colloidal particles that determine their performance, including optical property, release rate, packing structure, rheological behavior, etc. [ 2 ] Several methods were developed to process homopolymers into single‐component colloidal polymer particles with various shapes and controllable size. There are, however, only a few examples of multicomponent polymer particles with ordered internal mesostructures.…”