Two-dimensional assemblies from crystallizable homopolymers with charged termini

• Published in: Nature materials Vol. 16; no. 4; pp. 481 - 488
• Main Authors: He, Xiaoming, Hsiao, Ming-Siao, Boott, Charlotte E, Harniman, Robert L, Nazemi, Ali, Li, Xiaoyu, Winnik, Mitchell A, Manners, Ian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.04.2017
• Subjects: Assemblies; Block copolymers; Chemistry; Dimensional stability; Micelles; Microscopy; Nanoparticles; Planar structures; Polymerization; Polymers; Prepolymers; Seeds; Self-assembly; Shape memory; Structural hierarchy; Surface charge
• ISSN: 1476-1122; 1476-4660
• DOI: 10.1038/nmat4837

The creation of shaped, uniform and colloidally stable two-dimensional (2D) assemblies by bottom-up methods represents a challenge of widespread current interest for a variety of applications. Herein, we describe the utilization of surface charge to stabilize self-assembled planar structures that are formed from crystallizable polymer precursors by a seeded growth approach. Addition of crystallizable homopolymers with charged end-groups to seeds generated by the sonication of block copolymer micelles with crystalline cores yields uniform platelet micelles with controlled dimensions. Significantly, the seeded growth approach is characterized by a morphological memory effect whereby the origin of the seed, which can involve a quasi-hexagonal or rectangular 2D platelet precursor, dictates the observed 2D platelet shape. This new strategy is illustrated using two different polymer systems, and opens the door to the construction of 2D hierarchical structures with broad utility.