Controlling the spatial alignment of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) within the polymer matrix is of great importance due to its potential for building novel hybrid materials. The conformation of polymer brushes can direct the nanostructures of hybrid materials as it affects the interdigitation between grafted chains and matrix chains. Herein, we demonstrated the precise spatial alignment of polystyrene-grafted Au nanoparticles (Au@PS) within onion-like polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymer (BCP) particles by controlling the parameters related to the conformation of PS ligands, including the PS ligand molecular weight (Mn), core size of Au@PS (r), and grafting density of PS ligands (σ). Change in any of these parameters drives dramatic morphological transitions of hybrid particles. PS ligands having low interfacial interactions with BCP chains were excluded from the BCP domains and formed hexagonal packing on the particle surface. In contrast, high interfacial interactions between Au@PS and BCP chains allowed the formation of hierarchical Au@PS arrays between PS blocks. In addition, the effect of nanoparticle size was also considered for a comprehensive understanding of the entropic interactions in a 3D confined NP/BCP system.

Importance of the polymer ligand conformation to the assembly behavior in 3D confined nanoparticle/block copolymer hybrid system

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.