Block copolymers can self-assemble into various micellar aggregates, including spherical and wormlike micelles, vesicles, and other structures in selective medium. Incorporation of functional inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) in these hybrid micellar assemblies will broaden their potential applications, including bioimaging, diagnosis, drug delivery, and others. Several strategies have been established to encapsulate inorganic NPs within block copolymer aggregates. Yet, it is still a challenge to achieve hybrid nanocomposites with well-ordered structures.<br/>    We will present a simple yet robust route for encapsulating gold NPs or nanorods (NRs) within micellar cores through directed supramolecular assembly. Typically, comb-coil supramolecules from polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) PS-b-P4VP and 3-n-pentadecylphenol (PDP) are employed as polymer matrix, which can self-assemble into hierarchical structures. Upon addition of PS-coated gold NPs/NRs to the hierarchical supramolecules, NPs are selectively incorporated into PS confined phases within P4VP(PDP)<sub>1.0</sub> matrices during the assembly process. In this soft confined space, NPs or NRs can form complex packing structures, including single line, double lines, helix, double helix and other structures. Interestingly, the interparticle distance and position of the NPs in copolymer microdomain can be tailored by readily tailoring experimental parameters (volume fraction of NPs, surface chemistry on the NPs). Properties (e.g., optical properties) of the micellar aggregates can thus be tuned. Isolated wormlike micelles with uniformly dispersed NPs can be obtained by removal of the PDP and disintegration of the hybrid films. Furthermore, we will show that the aggregate morphologies can be tuned from spherical, wormlike aggregates to lamellar structures by simply tailoring the content of the PDP and/or NPs. This technique can be extended to different supramolecular pairs and different NPs with varied shapes and components, demonstrating the flexibility of our strategy.

Block copolymer/inorganic nanoparticles hybrid aggregates with well-ordered structures

251st National Meeting (2016)

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