Cluster-mediated assembly enables step-growth copolymerization from binary nanoparticle mixtures with rationally designed architectures. Issue 16 (6th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xianfeng; Lv, Longfei; Wu, Guanhong; Yang, Dong; Dong, Angang
• Is Part Of: Chemical science. Volume 9:Issue 16(2018)
• Page Start: 3986
• Page End: 3991
• Publication Date: 2018-04-06
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8sc00220g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6520

Abstract

Abstract : Multicomponent nanoparticle chains structurally analogous to random, block, and alternating copolymers, respectively, have been fabricated by a cluster-mediated self-assembly process. Abstract : Directed co-assembly of binary nanoparticles (NPs) into one-dimensional copolymer-like chains is fascinating but challenging in the realm of material science. While many strategies have been developed to induce the polymerization of NPs, it remains a grand challenge to produce colloidal copolymers with widely tailored compositions and precisely controlled architectures. Herein we report a robust colloidal polymerization strategy, which enables the growth of sophisticated NP chains with elaborately designed structures. By quantifying NP assembly statistics and kinetics, we establish that the linear assembly of colloidal NPs, with the assistance of PbSO4 clusters, follows a step-growth polymerization mechanism, and on the basis of this, we design and fabricate NP chains structurally analogous to random, block, and alternating copolymers, respectively. Our studies offer mechanistic insights into cluster-mediated colloidal polymerization, paving the way toward the rational synthesis of colloidal copolymers with quantitatively predicted architectures and functionalities.