Probing Thermoresponsive Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly with Variable-Temperature Liquid-Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy

Shape-shifting thermoreversible diblock copolymer nano-objects via RAFT aqueous dispersion polymerization of 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate

“…82,83 Further heating results in a signicant reduction in G 0 at 42 C and a concomitant increase in solution turbidity, which is consistent with a worm-to-vesicle transition. 84,85 As expected, temperature-dependent rheological studies performed on the 15% w/w aqueous dispersion of PEG 113 -PHPMA 260 short worms conrmed no thermoresponsive behavior between 15 and 55 C (Fig. S7 †).…”

In situ monitoring of PISA morphologies

“…Both dry state transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS), which are commonly used to characterize PISA morphologies, are often conducted at room temperature, and require dilution or drying of the samples, which may alter assembly size and morphology. To circumvent the problems associated with ex situ methods, liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy 32,33 and small-angle X-ray scattering 34,35 have been adapted, using specialized setups and systems, for monitoring PISA in situ. However, the practicality and availability of these methods is a limitation in some cases.…”

Developing Anisotropy in Self‐Assembled Block Copolymers: Methods, Properties, and Applications

“…Tremendous progress has been made in expanding imaging capability for BCPs including using in situ electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for revealing assembly dynamics at nanometer resolution in order to quantitatively understand important parameters such as activation energy required for defect annihilation in BCP thin films. [575][576][577][578][579][580][581][582][583] High-resolution transmission electron microscopy has also been employed to image polymer samples with resolutions as low as 3.6 Å. [584][585][586] Super-resolution optical microscopy has also been introduced to visualize morphological evolution of polymer systems upon solvent swelling, which offers advantages of large imaging volume, non-invasive imaging condition and customizable contrast by fluorophore labeling.…”