Hierarchical self-assembly offers elegant and energy-efficient bottom-up strategies for the structuring of complex materials. For block copolymers, last decade witnessed great progress in diversifying structural complexity solution-based assemblies into multicompartment micelles. However, a general understanding what governs micelle morphologies polydispersity, how to manipulate their hierarchical superstructures using straightforward concepts readily accessible polymers remains unreached....

Compartmentalization is ubiquitous to many biological and artificial systems, be it for the separate storage of incompatible matter or isolate transport processes. Advancements in synthesis sequential block copolymers offer a variety tools replicate natural design principles with tailor-made soft precise spatial separation functionalities on multiple length scales. Here, we review recent trends self-assembly amphiphilic multicompartment nanostructures (MCNs) under (semi-)dilute conditions,...

We present a novel, versatile, and simple solution-based routine to produce soft, nanosized Janus particles with tunable structural physical properties at high volume yield. This process is based on the cross-linking of compartments within precisely defined multicompartment micelles (MCMs), which are themselves formed by self-assembly ABC triblock terpolymers. Therein, C blocks form stabilizing corona emanating from B compartments, in turn reside an A core. Cross-linking allows permanently...

We investigate the self-assembly behavior of Janus particles with different geometries at a liquid-liquid interface. The we focus on are characterized by phase separation along their major axis into two hemicylinders wettability. present combination experimental and simulation data together detailed studies elucidating mechanisms governing adsorption process spheres, cylinders, discs. Using pendant drop technique, monitor assembly kinetics following changes in interfacial tension...

Abstract Block copolymers self-assemble into a variety of nanostructures that are relevant for science and technology. While the assembly diblock is largely understood, predicting solution triblock terpolymers remains challenging due to complex interplay block/block block/solvent interactions. Here we provide guidelines self-assembly linear ABC large multicompartment with C corona A/B cores. The ratio block lengths N / A thereby controls micelle geometry spheres, cylinders, bilayer sheets...

Nacre inspires researchers by combining stiffness with toughness its unique microstructure of aligned aragonite platelets. This brick‐and‐mortar structure reinforcing platelets separated thin organic matrix has been replicated in numerous mimics that can be divided into two categories: microcomposites metal oxide microplatelets polymer matrix, and nanocomposites self‐assembled nanoplatelets—usually clay or graphene oxide—and polymer. While have shown exceptional fracture toughness, current...

Several hundred grams of Janus nanoparticles (d ≈ 40 nm) were synthesized from triblock terpolymers as compatibilizers for blending technologically relevant polymers, PPE and SAN, on industry-scale extruders. The (JPs) demonstrate superior compatibilization capabilities compared to the corresponding terpolymer, attributed combined intrinsic properties, amphiphilicity Pickering effect. Straightforward mixing extrusion protocols yield multiscale blend morphologies with "raspberry-like"...

We describe the first study on self-assembly behavior of Janus cylinders at liquid/liquid interfaces. The are characterized by a phase separation along major axis into two hemicylinders different wettability. pendant drop technique and microscopic imaging were used to characterize adsorption perfluorinated oil/dioxane oil/dimethyl sulfoxide According evolution interfacial tension series TEM images taken during cylinder adsorption, we will specify characteristics early late stages...

Block copolymers are versatile building blocks for the self-assembly of functional nanostructures in bulk and solution. While spheres, cylinders, bilayer sheets thermodynamically preferred shapes frequently observed, ring-shaped nanoparticles more challenging to realize due energetic penalties that originate from their anisotropic curvature. Today, a handful concepts exist produce core-shell nanorings, while complex ( e. g., patchy) nanorings currently out reach have only been predicted...

Directed self-assembly processes of polymeric systems represent a powerful approach for the generation structural hierarchy in analogy to biological systems. Herein, we utilize triiodide as strongly polarizable counterion induce hierarchical an ABC miktoarm star terpolymer comprising polybutadiene (PB), poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA), and poly(N-methyl-2-vinylpyridinium) (P2VPq) segment. Hereby, architecture conjunction with increasing ratio versus iodide counterions allows stepwise...

Controlled surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) has previously been described as a versatile method that allows grafting polymer brushes on purely cellulosic forms of nanocelluloses, i.e., cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanorods and bacterial (BC) networks. However, corresponding SI-ATRP long entangled nanofibers (CNFs), having typically more complex composition partly disordered structure, only little reported due to practical synthetic challenges, in spite...

Polymer cubosomes (PCs) are a recent class of self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) microparticles with an accessible periodic channel system. Most reported PCs consist polystyrene scaffold, which provides mechanical stability for templating but has limited intrinsic functionality. Here, we report the synthesis photocleavable BCPs compositions suitable PC formation. We analyze self-assembly mechanism and study model release dyes during irradiation, where transition from amphiphilic to...

We demonstrate the synthesis of uniform one-dimensional (1D) titania hybrid nanotubes using core–shell–corona cylindrical polymer brushes (CPBs) as soft templates. The CPBs consist a polymethacrylate backbone with densely grafted poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) core, poly(2-(dimethlamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) cationic shell, and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (POEGMA) corona. weak polyelectrolyte shell complexed an oppositely charged precursor, namely titanium(IV) bis(ammonium...

The demand for ever more complex nanostructures in materials and soft matter nanoscience also requires sophisticated characterization tools reliable visualization interpretation of internal morphological features. Here, we address both aspects present synthetic concepts the compartmentalization nanoparticle peripheries as well their situ tomographic characterization. We first form negatively charged spherical multicompartment micelles from ampholytic triblock terpolymers aqueous media,...

Supracolloidal hybrids: Soft polymer-based Janus micelles provide excellent stabilization for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (see scheme) in a variety of solvents, including water. The size ratio the micelle′s stabilizing corona to adsorbing (Janus balance) is decisive good physisorption and stabilization. supracolloidal interaction preserves structural integrity nanotubes, which essential maintaining their useful properties. As service our authors readers, this journal provides supporting...

Understanding the self-assembly behavior of polymers various topologies is key to a reliable design functional polymer materials. Self-assembly under confinement conditions emerges as versatile avenue particles with complex internal morphologies while simultaneously facilitating scale-up. However, only linear block copolymers have been studied date, despite increasing control over macromolecule composition and architecture available. This study extends investigation in from regular diblock...

We report on the formation of shape- and surface-anisotropic Janus nanocups (JNCs) by evaporation-induced confinement assembly (EICA) ABC triblock terpolymers. During microphase separation in spherical confinement, terpolymer spontaneously adopted a hemispherical shape with an inner concentric lamella-lamella (ll) morphology. Cross-linking disassembly microparticles resulted well-defined JNCs different chemistry inside outside. By synthesizing polymers increasing length cross-linkable block,...

Abstract The advancement of lithium metal batteries toward their theoretical energy density potential remains constrained by safety and performance issues inherent to liquid electrolytes. Quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes (QSSEs) based on poly‐1,3‐dioxolane (poly‐DOL) represent a promising development, yet challenges in achieving satisfactory Coulombic efficiency long‐term stability have impeded practical implementation. While nitrate addition can enhance efficiency, its incorporation results...

The response of stimuli-responsive polymer brushes to moderately elevated pressure is investigated by neutron reflectivity and a thermodynamically consistent density functional theory where effects are included hydrophobic cavity model. Evidence provided that temperature on the brush spatial structure entirely antagonistic. A ∼100 bar/K cancellation effect found, which we argue general feature for hydrophobically associating homopolymers serves experimental guidance fine-control film...

Surface-modified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become well-established filler materials for polymer nanocomposites. However, in immiscible blends, the CNT-coating is selective toward more compatible phase, which suppresses their homogeneous distribution and limits harnessing full potential of filler. In this study, we show that multiwalled CNTs with a patchy polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA) corona disperse equally well both phases an incompatible PS/PMMA blend. Unlike...