Spherulite‐Like Micelles. Issue 19 (9th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Shaofei; Zhou, Hang; Ye, Shuyang; Tam, Jason; Howe, Jane Y.; Manners, Ian; Winnik, Mitchell A.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 60:Issue 19(2021)
• Page Start: 10950
• Page End: 10956
• Publication Date: 2021-04-09
• Subjects: block copolymer -- controllable growth -- crystallization-driven self-assembly -- micelles -- spherulites; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202101177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: One‐dimensional (1D) and 2D structures by crystallization‐driven self‐assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) can form fascinating hierarchical structures through secondary self‐assembly. But examples of 3D structures formed via hierarchical self‐assembly are rare. Here we report seeded growth experiments in decane of a poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane) BCP with an amphiphilic corona forming block in which lenticular platelets grow into classic spherulite‐like uniform colloidally stable structures. These 3D objects are spherically symmetric on the exterior, but asymmetric near the core, where there is a more open structure consisting of sheaf‐like leaves. The most remarkable aspect of these experiments is that growth stops at different stages of growth process, depending upon how much unimer is added in the seeded growth step. The system provides a model for studying spherulitic growth where real‐time observations on their growth at different stages remains challenging. Abstract : A crystalline‐coil block copolymer with an amphiphilic corona‐forming block leads to formation of 3D spherulite‐like micelles by crystallization‐driven self‐assembly and seeded growth in dilute solution. Micelle growth can be stopped at any stage depending on the unimer feed ratio and provides a powerful model for studying the spherulite growth process.