Functional Block Copolymers: Nanostructured Materials with Emerging Applications

Abstract

Recent advances in polymer synthesis have significantly enhanced the ability to rationally design block copolymers with tailored functionality. The self-assembly of these macromolecules in the solid state or in solution allows the formation of nanostructured materials with a variety of properties and potential functions. This Review illustrates recent progress in the field of block copolymer materials by highlighting selected emerging applications.

Block Copolymer Membranes from Polystyrene-b-poly(solketal methacrylate) (PS-b-PSMA) and Amphiphilic Polystyrene-b-poly(glyceryl methacrylate) (PS-b-PGMA)

“…To overcome this difficulty, either controlled radical polymerization can be employed, or protective groups are introduced into the monomeric unit blocking the reactive site during the course of anionic polymerization and these protected groups can be easily and readily cleaved afterwards to get the required functional groups [5]. Functional block copolymers have received extensive scientific and technological attention due to their potential applications in electronics, drug delivery [6], nano reactors [7], and smart materials [8,9]. Loeb and Sourirajan introduced for the first time the fabrication of synthetic membranes with advanced functionality via the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) or so-called "phase inversion" process [10].…”

Synthesis and Solution Self‐Assembly of Polyisoprene‐block‐poly(ferrocenylmethylsilane): A Diblock Copolymer with an Atactic but Semicrystalline Core‐Forming Metalloblock

“…Living anionic polymerisation, and more recently ringopening metathesis polymerisation and "controlled" radical polymerisation, have played a key role in the development of BCP science. 86,[200][201][202][203][204][205][206][207][208][209] Synthetic routes to PFS-containing…”

“…These materials self-assemble in block-selective solvents to form core-shell or corona nanoparticles referred to as micelles. 207,208,318,319 It is well established that the increase in volume of the solvent-swollen corona relative to the dry state favours curvature of the core-corona interface.…”

Ferrocene-Modified Block Copolymers for the Preparation of Smart Porous Membranes

“…In general, stimuli-responsive polymer materials attracted enormous attention for a range of recent polymer-based applications [5][6][7]. This type of polymers feature certain chemical functionalities, which can be addressed by external triggers such as the presence of solvent, change of temperature, variation of pH, by light, redox reagents, or electrical or magnetic fields [8][9][10][11]. Especially thermo-responsive membranes were shown to reversibly switch their pore diameter and surface properties, and therefore, controlling the selectivity of the membrane [4,[12][13][14][15][16].…”