Lateral growth of cylinders

Abstract

The precise control of the shape, size and microstructure of nanomaterials is of high interest in chemistry and material sciences. However, living lateral growth of cylinders is still very challenging. Herein, we propose a crystallization-driven fusion-induced particle assembly (CD-FIPA) strategy to prepare cylinders with growing diameters by the controlled fusion of spherical micelles self-assembled from an amphiphilic homopolymer. The spherical micelles are heated upon glass transition temperature (Tg) to break the metastable state to induce the aggregation and fusion of the amorphous micelles to form crystalline cylinders. With the addition of extra spherical micelles, these micelles can attach onto and fuse with the cylinders, showing the living character of the lateral growth of cylinders. Computer simulations and mathematical calculations are preformed to reveal the total energy changes of the nanostructures during the self-assembly and CD-FIPA process. Overall, we demonstrated a CD-FIPA concept for preparing cylinders with growing diameters.

Precise and Controllable Assembly of Block Copolymers†

“…(A) Schematic illustration of the living lateral growth of cylinders by CD‐FIPA; TEM images of the mixture of spherical micelles and cylinders (B) before incubation and (C) incubation at 75 o C for 3 h; [ 89 ] (D) The kinetics of living supramolecular polymerization using seeded‐growth of rod‐coil BCPs as a model. [ 59 ] …”

π–π Interlocking Effect for Designing Biodegradable Nanorods with Controlled Lateral Surface Curvature

“…In this context, a straightforward self-assembly approach would be a better option for fabricating biodegradable nanorods with controllable shapes and sizes to meet the needs of different applications. A variety of polymeric nanoparticles with different compositions and properties have been prepared by macromolecular self-assembly. − However, it is still in its infancy compared with what nature displays, in terms of sophistication and maneuverability of morphology. − It is still a challenge to precisely control the geometric parameters as well as the corresponding size of polymeric nanoparticles via a simple self-assembly process, as it depends on the spontaneous arrangement of polymer chains that are facilitated by noncovalent interactions, such as van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and π–π interactions. , …”

Facile synthesis of monocyclic, dumbbell-shaped and jellyfish-like copolymers using a telechelic multisite hexablock copolymer

“…The lateral growth of cylinders can be achieved either by fusing the distinct cylinders or by fusing the cylinders with spheres. 72–80 Since the PSt-bearing backbone was frozen at ambient temperature, it was proposed that the formation of cylinders with enhanced diameters took place due to the fusion of different cylinders via crystallization of PCL chains and mutual interactions between the backbone and side chains. Owing to the differences in reassembly and fusion, the resultant cylinders were liable to exhibit nonuniform diameters and lengths.…”

“…The lateral growth of cylinders can be achieved either by fusing the distinct cylinders or by fusing the cylinders with spheres. [72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] Since the PSt-bearing backbone was frozen at ambient temperature, it was proposed that the formation of…”