Efficient Fabrication of Pure, Single-Chain Janus Particles through Their Exclusive Self-Assembly in Mixtures with Their Analogues

Abstract

We report the first example of the fabrication of pure, single-chain Janus particles (SCJPs). The SCJPs were prepared by double-cross-linking an A-b-B diblock copolymer in a common solvent. Inevitably, the double-cross-linking led to a mixture containing not only SCJPs but also multichain particles and irregular single-chain particles. Under well-controlled conditions, the SCJPs in the mixture self-assemble with high exclusivity to form regularly structured macroscopic assemblies (MAs) with a crystal-like appearance that precipitate from the suspension. Pure SCJPs that are uniform in size, shape and Janus structure were efficiently prepared by collection and dissociation of the MAs. Block copolymers with different structural parameters were successfully used for the exclusive self-assembly (ESA), and pure SCJPs with varied structural parameters were produced, confirming the reliability of the ESA method.

Macromolecular Superstructures: A Future Beyond Single Chain Nanoparticles

“…More complex SCNPs, comprising two different polymer blocks that are both folded were recently reported . The resulting single chain Janus particles were found to assemble into lamellar structures.…”

“…[88] More complex SCNPs, comprising two different polymer blocks that are both folded were recently reported. [89] The resulting single chain Janus particles were found to assemble into lamellar structures. Remarkably, the self-assembly of the SCNPs could also be utilized for their purification after the folding reactions of both blocks.…”

Advances in the Multi-Orthogonal Folding of Single Polymer Chains into Single-Chain Nanoparticles

“…Dimers of SCNPs of high purity were isolated by sorting via exclusive self-assembly (ESA) by Chen and coworkers ( Figure 8 ) [ 77 ]. First, single-chain Janus particles (SCJPs) were prepared by double cross-linking a diblock copolymer in methanol as the common solvent.…”

“…13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 12 of Facile isolation of pure single-chain Janus particles (SCJPs) by sorting through formation of macroscopic assemblies (MAS) via exclusive self-assembly (ESA). Reprinted from reference[77] with permission.…”

One‐Shot Intrablock Cross‐Linking of Linear Diblock Copolymer to Realize Janus‐Shaped Single‐Chain Nanoparticles

“…One of the interesting compartmentalized configurations is the dumbbell‐shaped SCNP, where the chemically different intramolecularly cross‐linked blocks are tethered by a short spacer block (Figure 1 a). [40–42] Furthermore, Matsumoto et al., [43, 44] Jiang et al., [45] Ji et al., [46] and Lang et al [47] . recently succeeded in the distinct intramolecular cross‐linking of the two segments of BCPs without the spacer, yielding double‐core SCNPs (Figure 1 b).…”