As with small molecule synthesis routes, self-assembly strategies for materials aim to achieve rationally designed structure and function from simple molecular structure and conditions. To realize this goal, an understanding of the self-assembly pathways is needed. For block copolymer self-assembly, despite the fact that many systems are known to be kinetically trapped, structures are nevertheless designed based on considerations of minimum energy organization and hence the packing parameter for both static and responsive systems. Here, we show through rational design of different block copolymers that both the thermodynamic and kinetic pathways of reorganization from stimulus can be explored. Moreover, we propose a vesicle assembly pathway, which was induced from an enzyme stimulus that was inaccessible via typical assembly methods.

Block copolymer morphology switch <i>via</i> colloidal assembly and local reorganization

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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Block copolymer morphology switch via colloidal assembly and local reorganization