Free-Standing Nanomaterials from Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 43; no. 11; pp. 5060 - 5065
• Main Authors: Quémener, Damien, Bonniol, Guilhem, Phan, Trang N. T, Gigmes, Didier, Bertin, Denis, Deratani, André
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 08.06.2010
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Sheets and films; Technology of polymers; Ultrathin films; Terpolymer; Nanoparticle; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Thin film; Array; Organic solution; Acrylonitrile copolymer; Triblock copolymer; Solvent evaporation; Wettability; Morphology; Preparation; Surface properties; Spin-on coating; Radical copolymerization; Formation mechanism; Lattice structure; Superlattice; Micellization; Amphiphilic polymer; Styrene copolymer
• ISSN: 0024-9297; 1520-5835
• DOI: 10.1021/ma100809v

This work presents the preparation of nanomaterials thanks to the assembly of a triblock copolymer P(Sty319-co-AN262)-b-PEO795-b-P(Sty319-co-AN262). The 3D construction is directed by the assembly of block copolymer micelles prepared in situ during the spin-coating of the block copolymer solution. With a solvent system DMF/toluene 50/50, spherical micelles are formed and assembled into a nanoparticle film. The micelle size in the dry state is 50 nm. With a solvent system DMF/toluene 25/75, worm-like micelles (50 nm in diameter) are formed in situ together with “Y-cylinders” and lead to what we called “spider web” films. Micelles are strongly interacting through a dynamic association process between “bridge” and “loop” conformations of the ABA triblock copolymer. When micelles come into contact, some bridges are formed with the two A blocks localized in the heart of two different micelles. The resulting materials show good mechanical properties and enable the preparation of self-standing polymer films.