Self-assembly of metal–polymer analogues of amphiphilic triblock copolymers

Abstract

Organized arrays of anisotropic nanoparticles show electronic and optical properties that originate from the coupling of shape-dependent properties of the individual nanorods. The organization of nanorods in a controllable and predictable way provides a route to the fabrication of new materials and functional devices. So far, significant progress has been achieved in the self-assembly of nanorod arrays, yet the realization of a range of different structures requires changing the surface chemistry of the nanoparticles. We organized metal nanorods in structures with varying geometries by using a striking analogy between amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers and the hydrophilic nanorods tethered with hydrophobic polymer chains at both ends. The self-assembly was tuneable and reversible and it was achieved solely by changing the solvent quality for the constituent blocks. This approach provides a new route to the organization of anisotropic nanoparticles by using the strategies that are established for the self-assembly of block copolymers.

Self‐assembly and responsiveness of polypeptide‐based block copolymers: How “Smart” behavior and topological complexity yield unique assembly in aqueous media

“…107,109,110,112,113 A few studies have been devoted to self-assembly of coil-rod-coil BAB triblock copolymers containing a functionalized, hydrophilic gold nanorod center FEATURE ARTICLE block and hydrophobic coil outer blocks. [114][115][116] This category of amphiphilic molecules exhibited self-assembly into ''doughnut-like" supramolecular barrels (similar to toroid micelles), as a result of stiffness from the center block. Similar to these gold nanorod systems, Kiick and coworkers recently reported the aqueous assembly of fully organic coilrod-coil BAB copolymers.…”

Pure Single‐Crystalline Na1.1V3O7.9 Nanobelts as Superior Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Sodium‐Ion Batteries

“…However, we shall always be prepared for the exhaustion of limited and unevenly distributed Li resources in the Earth's crust. In response, room‐temperature Na‐ion batteries (NIBs) have again aroused a great deal of interest recently because Na resources are practically inexhaustible and ubiquitous, which is extremely favorable for large‐scale stationary electric energy storage applications for renewable energies and smart grids 2, 3, 4, 5. However, partially because Na ion is larger and heavier than Li ion, there is still only very limited number of potential cathode materials for NIBs, and the obtained cathode materials are still far from satisfying in terms of specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability 6, 7, 8.…”

Directing Assembly of DNA-Coated Colloids with Magnetic Fields To Generate Rigid, Semiflexible, and Flexible Chains

“…[4][5][6] Recently, the development of colloidal polymers (long chains of linked nano or micron-sized particles that are analogous to linear polymer molecules) has generated interest. [7][8][9][10] Colloidal polymer systems have multiple advantages, including being small enough to be influenced by Brownian forces yet large enough to enable studies with 'single molecules' using ordinary light microscopy. Various methods have been used to assemble colloidal polymer chains, including methods that produce anisotropic patches that act as binding sites [11][12][13][14] and the use of anisotropic dipolar interactions in a directed assembly of colloids using either magnetic [15][16][17][18][19] or electric fields.…”