Open AccessFabrication of functional nano‐objects via self‐assembly of nanostructured hybrid materials
Author(s) -
Pietsch Torsten,
Gindy Nabil,
Mahltig Boris,
Fahmi Amir
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of polymer science part b: polymer physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.65
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1099-0488
pISSN - 0887-6266
DOI - 10.1002/polb.21960
Subject(s) - copolymer , micelle , self assembly , materials science , nano , vesicle , morphology (biology) , fabrication , nanotechnology , solvent , chemical engineering , nanostructure , aqueous solution , polymer chemistry , polymer , chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , membrane , biology , engineering , genetics
A simple route to fabricate functional nano‐objects via self‐assembly of block copolymer‐based hybrid materials is described. In water–toluene mixtures, spheres, rod‐like morphologies, and ring‐like morphologies as well as vesicles of metal loaded block copolymers micelles are fabricated. The concept is generic to realize different functionalities by incorporating various inorganic components (Au, Ag, Pt, Co…) into the block copolymer matrix. A mechanism describing the formation of micellar aggregates with different morphologies is presented based on a simple force balance approach. Moreover, the composition of the solvent mixture is modified to gain control over the morphology of micellar aggregates. It was found that swelling of the micelle core with a selective cosolvent is the driving force to induce morphology transitions from spherical to rod‐ and ring‐like structures as well as vesicles. These nano‐objects can be further used as building blocks to construct well‐defined structures via self‐assembly in spin coated thin films. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 1642–1650, 2010