Nature is a well of inspiration for chemists and materials scientists, especially when nano materials are considered. The major requirements in the synthetic formation of nature-inspired nano materials are predominantly shape anisotropy, stimuli responsiveness, spatially control over internal chemistry as well as nanostructured morphology. We have previously demonstrated that polymeric ellipsoidal nanoparticles with axially stacked lamellae are a particularly good example for synthetic nano materials. These particles are readily accessible via solvent evaporation in block copolymer/mixed surfactant systems.As a result, shape anisotropy and internal axially stacked lamellar morphology are achieved in a facile way via block copolymer microphase separation. Since a broad range of polymer types are available, this concept offers a new platform allowing introduction of stimuli responsiveness and functionality.In this contribution, an extension to the existing preparation method is described that utilizes homopolymer/block copolymer blends in the fabrication of shape anisotropic particles. The incorporation of homopolymers of both polymer types in stoichiometric ratio offers several advantages over the existing methodology with regard to tuning the final material's properties. Firstly, the domain spacing increases via homopolymer addition. Thus, precise tuning of the lamellae thickness is possible. Secondly, the addition of functionalized homopolymers allows for the incorporation of such chemical functionalities as crosslinkable moieties in the respective domains. This modular approach is a key factor with regard to selectively adjusting the material's properties to a specific application.

Functional ellipsoidal nanoparticles via block copolymer/homopolymer blends

248th National Meeting (2014)

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