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Head–Tail Asymmetry as the Determining Factor in the Formation of Polymer Cubosomes or Hexasomes in a Rod–Coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer
Author(s) -
Lyu Xiaolin,
Xiao Anqi,
Zhang Wei,
Hou Pingping,
Gu Kehua,
Tang Zhehao,
Pan Hongbing,
Wu Fan,
Shen Zhihao,
Fan XingHe
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201804401
Subject(s) - copolymer , polymer , amphiphile , electromagnetic coil , self assembly , polymer chemistry , materials science , chemical engineering , chemistry , nanotechnology , composite material , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
The self‐assembly of a rod–coil amphiphilic block copolymer (ABCP) led to Im 3 ‾ m and Pn 3 ‾ m polymer cubosomes and p6mm polymer hexasomes. This is the first time that these structures are observed in a rod–coil system. By varying the hydrophobic chain length, the initial concentration of the polymer solution, or the solubility parameter of the mixed solvent, head–tail asymmetry is adjusted to control the formation of polymer cubosomes or hexasomes. The formation mechanism of the polymer cubosomes was also studied. This research opens up a new way for further study of the bicontinuous and inverse phases in different ABCP systems.