Hierarchical self-organization of soft patchy nanoparticles into morphologically diverse aggregates. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: C. Gârlea, Ioana; Bianchi, Emanuela; Capone, Barbara; Rovigatti, Lorenzo; N. Likos, Christos
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in colloid & interface science. Volume 30(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Star polymers -- Patchy colloids -- Diblock copolymers -- Spherical and wormlike micelles -- Gels; Surface chemistry -- Periodicals; Colloids -- Periodicals; 541.33
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2017.03.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-0294

Abstract

Abstract: We present a concise review of the large variety of self-assembly scenarios observed in solutions of diblock copolymer stars with a solvophilic inner block and a solvophobic outer block. A variety of modeling approaches and simulation techniques at different levels of detail reveals that individual molecules assume configurations akin to patchy colloids, but with a patchiness that depends on physical parameters and can adjust to external stimuli such as temperature and pH. These soft, patchy building blocks inter-associate at finite concentrations into micellar or gel-like solutions, including spherical and wormlike micelles, or they display macroscopic phase separation. The connections between single-molecule conformation and the structure of the concentrated solution are discussed, and coarse-grained strategies for these novel molecular entities are critically compared to one another. Graphical Abstract: