1
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Isono T, Komaki R, Kawakami N, Chen K, Chen HL, Lee C, Suzuki K, Ree BJ, Mamiya H, Yamamoto T, Borsali R, Tajima K, Satoh T. Tailored Solid-State Carbohydrate Nanostructures Based on Star-Shaped Discrete Block Co-Oligomers. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:3978-3989. [PMID: 36039560 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Carbohydrates are key building blocks for advanced functional materials owing to their biological functions and unique material properties. Here, we propose a star-shaped discrete block co-oligomer (BCO) platform to access carbohydrate nanostructures in bulk and thin-film states via the microphase separation of immiscible carbohydrate and hydrophobic blocks (maltooligosaccharides with 1-4 glucose units and solanesol, respectively). BCOs with various star-shaped architectures and saccharide volume fractions were synthesized using a modular approach. In the bulk, the BCOs self-assembled into common lamellar, cylindrical, and spherical carbohydrate microdomains as well as double gyroid, hexagonally perforated lamellar, and Fddd network morphologies with domain spacings of ∼7 nm. In thin films, long-range-ordered periodic carbohydrate microdomains were fabricated via spin coating. Such controlled spatial arrangements of functional carbohydrate moieties on the nanoscale have great application potential in biomedical and nanofabrication fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Isono
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Ryoya Komaki
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Nao Kawakami
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Lung Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chaehun Lee
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Kazushige Suzuki
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Brian J Ree
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mamiya
- National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0047, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Tajima
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Satoh
- Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan
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2
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Reddy A, Dimitriyev MS, Grason GM. Medial packing and elastic asymmetry stabilize the double-gyroid in block copolymers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2629. [PMID: 35552400 PMCID: PMC9098509 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30343-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triply-periodic networks are among the most complex and functionally valuable self-assembled morphologies, yet they form in nearly every class of biological and synthetic soft matter building blocks. In contrast to simpler assembly motifs – spheres, cylinders, layers – networks require molecules to occupy variable local environments, confounding attempts to understand their formation. Here, we examine the double-gyroid network phase by using a geometric formulation of the strong stretching theory of block copolymer melts, a prototypical soft self-assembly system. The theory establishes the direct link between molecular packing, assembly thermodynamics and the medial map, a generic measure of the geometric center of complex shapes. We show that “medial packing” is essential for stability of double-gyroid in strongly-segregated melts, reconciling a long-standing contradiction between infinite- and finite-segregation theories. Additionally, we find a previously unrecognized non-monotonic dependence of network stability on the relative entropic elastic stiffness of matrix-forming to tubular-network forming blocks. The composition window of stable double-gyroid widens for both large and small elastic asymmetry, contradicting intuitive notions that packing frustration is localized to the tubular domains. This study demonstrates the utility of optimized medial tessellations for understanding soft-molecular assembly and packing frustration via an approach that is readily generalizable far beyond gyroids in neat block copolymers. Double-gyroid networks assemble in diverse soft materials, yet the molecular packing that underlies their complex structure remains obscure. Here, authors advance a theory that resolves a long-standing puzzle about their formation in block copolymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhiram Reddy
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Michael S Dimitriyev
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
| | - Gregory M Grason
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA.
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3
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Chang CY, Manesi GM, Avgeropoulos A, Ho RM. Superlattice Structure from Self-Assembly of High-χ Block Copolymers via Chain Interdigitation. Macromolecules 2022. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.2c00358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yen Chang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, R.O.C
| | - Gkreti-Maria Manesi
- Department of Materials Science Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus, Ioannina 45110, Greece
| | - Apostolos Avgeropoulos
- Department of Materials Science Engineering, University of Ioannina, University Campus, Ioannina 45110, Greece
- Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), GSP-1, 1-3 Leninskiye Gory, 119991 14 Moscow, Russia
| | - Rong-Ming Ho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan, R.O.C
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Cai D, Li J, Ma Z, Gan Z, Shao Y, Xing Q, Tan R, Dong XH. Effect of Molecular Architecture and Symmetry on Self-Assembly: A Quantitative Revisit Using Discrete ABA Triblock Copolymers. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:555-561. [PMID: 35575328 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The inherent statistical heterogeneities associated with chain length, composition, and architecture of synthetic block copolymers compromise the quantitative interpretation of their self-assembly process. This study scrutinizes the contribution of molecular architecture on phase behaviors using discrete ABA triblock copolymers with precise chemical structure and uniform chain length. A group of discrete triblock copolymers with varying composition and symmetry were modularly synthesized through a combination of iterative growth methods and efficient coupling reactions. The symmetric ABA triblock copolymers self-assemble into long-range ordered structures with expanded domain spacings and enhanced phase stability, compared with the diblock counterparts snipped at the middle point. By tuning the relative chain length of two end blocks, the molecular asymmetry reduces the packing frustration, and thus increases the order-to-disorder transition temperature and enlarges the domain sizes. This study would serve as a quantitative model system to correlate the experimental observations with the theoretical assessments and to provide quantitative understandings for the relationship between molecular architecture and self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Cai
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Jinbin Li
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhuang Ma
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Zhanhui Gan
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yu Shao
- Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qian Xing
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Rui Tan
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xue-Hui Dong
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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5
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Zhang X, Li W. Periodic Patchy Spheres Self-Assembled by A mBCA n' Multiblock Terpolymers. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:4407-4414. [PMID: 35352945 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We have designed AmBCAn' multiblock terpolymers and studied their self-assembly using self-consistent field theory, aiming to generate the periodically arranged patchy spheres and thus to clarify the regulation mechanism of the number of patches. A number of two-dimensional phase diagrams are constructed for three typical architectures A2BCA2', A2BCA3', and A3BCA2'. Four kinds of stable patchy spheres with the number of patches as 2 (S2), 4 (S4), 5 (S5), and 6 (S6) are obtained. These phases follow a common transition sequence of S2 → S4 → S5 → S6 along with the increasing of the volume fraction of C-block (fC), which forms the core sphere patched with B-domains. Moreover, the S6 phase exhibits the widest stability window, while S5 has the narrowest one. The increased arms of A'-blocks in A2BCA3' architecture deflect the phase boundaries toward large fC and accordingly expand the regions of these patchy spheres due to the amplified effect of spontaneous curvature. In contrast, the increased arms of A-blocks in A3BCA2' remarkably expands the window of S6 but narrows those of the other patchy spheres, which is mainly caused by increased packing frustration resulting from the reduced extension of the more divided A-blocks. The widest window of the S6 phase reaches ΔfC ∼ 0.13, which is readily accessed by experiment. Our work not only demonstrates a self-assembly strategy to engineer the patchy spheres, but also sheds light on the regulation mechanism of the patchy number.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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6
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Xie Q, Qiang Y, Li W. Single Gyroid Self-Assembled by Linear BABAB Pentablock Copolymer. ACS Macro Lett 2022; 11:205-209. [PMID: 35574770 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.1c00656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Although the double-gyroid (DG) structure has been commonly formed from the self-assembly of block copolymers, the single-gyroid (SG) structure is rarely reported. Moreover, the SG structure even shows better performance than DG in some optical applications. How to prepare the SG structure has become an attractive but challenging topic. We speculate that the SG structure can be stabilized by the synergistic effect of released packing frustration and stretched bridging block in AB-type block copolymers. Accordingly, we propose the minimum conditions for the design of architecture that enables the two mechanisms simultaneously. Following these conditions, a simple linear BABAB pentablock copolymer is successfully devised. SCFT calculations confirm that the SG phase can be stabilized by tailoring the architecture. Our work is hopeful to promote relevant experimental studies for engineering the unusual SG structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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7
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Nguyen D, Tao L, Li Y. Integration of Machine Learning and Coarse-Grained Molecular Simulations for Polymer Materials: Physical Understandings and Molecular Design. Front Chem 2022; 9:820417. [PMID: 35141207 PMCID: PMC8819075 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.820417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the synthesis of monomer sequence-defined polymers has expanded into broad-spectrum applications in biomedical, chemical, and materials science fields. Pursuing the characterization and inverse design of these polymer systems requires our fundamental understanding not only at the individual monomer level, but also considering the chain scales, such as polymer configuration, self-assembly, and phase separation. However, our accessibility to this field is still rudimentary due to the limitations of traditional design approaches, the complexity of chemical space along with the burdened cost and time issues that prevent us from unveiling the underlying monomer sequence-structure-property relationships. Fortunately, thanks to the recent advancements in molecular dynamics simulations and machine learning (ML) algorithms, the bottlenecks in the tasks of establishing the structure-function correlation of the polymer chains can be overcome. In this review, we will discuss the applications of the integration between ML techniques and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations to solve the current issues in polymer science at the chain level. In particular, we focus on the case studies in three important topics—polymeric configuration characterization, feed-forward property prediction, and inverse design—in which CGMD simulations are leveraged to generate training datasets to develop ML-based surrogate models for specific polymer systems and designs. By doing so, this computational hybridization allows us to well establish the monomer sequence-functional behavior relationship of the polymers as well as guide us toward the best polymer chain candidates for the inverse design in undiscovered chemical space with reasonable computational cost and time. Even though there are still limitations and challenges ahead in this field, we finally conclude that this CGMD/ML integration is very promising, not only in the attempt of bridging the monomeric and macroscopic characterizations of polymer materials, but also enabling further tailored designs for sequence-specific polymers with superior properties in many practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danh Nguyen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Lei Tao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
- Polymer Program, Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, CT, United States
- *Correspondence: Ying Li,
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8
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Zhang X, Wei Z, Liu K, Wang L, Yang W. A 3B-type miktoarm star polymer nanoassemblies prepared by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion polymerization. Polym Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2py00935h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The investigation on a series of A3B-type miktoarm star polymer assemblies by RAFT PISA has revealed the role of A3B architecture in delaying morphological transitions, and the formation of larger vesicles as well as other interesting morphologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Li Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wantai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Beijing Engineering Research Center for the Syntheses and Applications of Waterborne Polymers, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing 100029, China
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9
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Xu Z, Li W. Control the self‐assembly of block copolymers by tailoring the packing frustration. CHINESE J CHEM 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cjoc.202100780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanwen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University Shanghai 200433 China
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10
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Song Q, Dong Q, Dong XH, Zhu YL, Li W. Self-Assembly Behaviors of Giant Amphiphiles Containing Cubic Cage-like “Monomers”. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingliang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Qingshu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xue-Hui Dong
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering and State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - You-Liang Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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11
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Li Q, Li W. Expanding Alternating Spherical and Cylindrical Regions by Tailoring Binary Symmetric ABC/ABC Blends. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qingyun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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12
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Zhang C, Vigil DL, Sun D, Bates MW, Loman T, Murphy EA, Barbon SM, Song JA, Yu B, Fredrickson GH, Whittaker AK, Hawker CJ, Bates CM. Emergence of Hexagonally Close-Packed Spheres in Linear Block Copolymer Melts. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:14106-14114. [PMID: 34448579 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c03647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The hexagonally close-packed (HCP) sphere phase is predicted to be stable across a narrow region of linear block copolymer phase space, but the small free energy difference separating it from face-centered cubic spheres usually results in phase coexistence. Here, we report the discovery of pure HCP spheres in linear block copolymer melts with A = poly(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate) ("F") and B = poly(2-dodecyl acrylate) ("2D") or poly(4-dodecyl acrylate) ("4D"). In 4DF diblocks and F4DF triblocks, the HCP phase emerges across a substantial range of A-block volume fractions (circa fA = 0.25-0.30), and in F4DF, it forms reversibly when subjected to various processing conditions which suggests an equilibrium state. The time scale associated with forming pure HCP upon quenching from a disordered liquid is intermediate to the ordering kinetics of the Frank-Kasper σ and A15 phases. However, unlike σ and A15, HCP nucleates directly from a supercooled liquid or soft solid without proceeding through an intermediate quasicrystal. Self-consistent field theory calculations indicate the stability of HCP is intimately tied to small amounts of molar mass dispersity (Đ); for example, an HCP-forming F4DF sample with fA = 0.27 has an experimentally measured Đ = 1.04. These insights challenge the conventional wisdom that pure HCP is difficult to access in linear block copolymer melts without the use of blending or other complex processing techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhang
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrew K Whittaker
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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13
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Zhao B, Liu MJ, Wang C, Chen YC, Xu YC. Enlarged Stable Phase Region of Hybrid Lamella-sphere Phase Enabled by A1B1A2(B2)m Branched Tetrablock Copolymer. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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14
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Zhao B, Wang C, Chen Y, Liu M. Frank-Kasper Phases Self-Assembled from a Linear A 1B 1A 2B 2 Tetrablock Copolymer. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:5642-5650. [PMID: 33929198 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Frank-Kasper (FK) phases self-assembled from block copolymer systems have attracted abiding interest. In this work, the formation mechanism of the complex FK phases from the self-assembly of simple A1B1A2B2 tetrablock copolymers is investigated using self-consistent field theory (SCFT). For a typical set of parameter spaces, we utilize SCFT to construct a number of phase diagrams. In these phase diagrams, the FK phases exhibit a notable stability region. The stable region of the FK phases reveals that the distribution of A1 and A2 blocks can be precisely regulated by tuning the ratio of the A1/A2 block, wherein the long A1 blocks can aggregate within the "core" while the short A2 blocks can form the "shell" of a spherical domain in the FK phases, respectively, to accommodate the sizes and shapes of the spherical domains in the complex spherical packing phases. Besides, we also demonstrate that the existence of the B2 block plays a crucial factor to stabilize the FK phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhao
- School of Big Data Science, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
- Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Big Data Science, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Yingcai Chen
- School of Big Data Science, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
| | - Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China
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15
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Shi W. Scattering Function and Spinodal Transition of Linear and Nonlinear Block Copolymers Based on a Unified Molecular Model. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-021-2544-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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16
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Li W, Liu YX. Simplicity in mean-field phase behavior of two-component miktoarm star copolymers. J Chem Phys 2021; 154:014903. [PMID: 33412874 DOI: 10.1063/5.0037979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Using self-consistent field theory, we systematically explore the microphase separation in the class of two-component miktoarm star copolymers containing a single conjunction point between different blocks by considering an extended list of candidate microphases. We plot mean-field phase diagrams in the plane of segregation strength and composition for an array of representative star copolymers. Three principal phase diagram topologies, dictated by different phase stabilities, are exposed, displaying a hierarchy in complexity by increasing the molecular asymmetry. Our investigation indicates that the phase diagram topology depends on the ratios of arm numbers and Kuhn segment lengths, which highlights the role of the coordination number ratio between different polymers at the domain interface. These findings reveal the simplicity of the general phase behavior and suggest a complete list of stable microphases for the entire class, which provide useful insight into studying copolymers with more complicated architectures and conformational properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Yi-Xin Liu
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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17
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Hu T, Ren Y, Zhang L, Li W. Impact of Architecture of Symmetric Block Copolymers on the Stability of a Dislocation Defect. Macromolecules 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yongzhi Ren
- Key Lab of In-fiber Integrated Optics, Ministry of Education, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Harbin Engineering University, 150001 Harbin, China
| | - Liangshun Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymeric Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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18
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Li W. “Bridge” Makes Differences to the Self-assembly of Block Copolymers. ACTA CHIMICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.6023/a20090438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Li C, Dong Q, Li W. Largely Tunable Asymmetry of Phase Diagrams of A(AB) n Miktoarm Star Copolymer. Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c02272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qingshu Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Xie Q, Qiang Y, Chen L, Xia Y, Li W. Synergistic Effect of Stretched Bridging Block and Released Packing Frustration Leads to Exotic Nanostructures. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:980-984. [PMID: 35648611 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules into various mesocrystals has attracted abiding interest. Although many interesting mesocrystals have been achieved, mesocrystals of a low coordination number (CN) such as simple cubic are rarely reported. Here we purposely design an AB-type multiblock copolymer to target exotic spherical phases of low CNs. Self-consistent field theory reveals that two sophisticated mechanisms are realized in the copolymer, that is, stretched bridging block and released packing frustration, synergistically leading to the formation of three spherical phases with extremely low CNs, including the simple cubic spheres (CN = 6), the cubic diamond spheres (CN = 4), and normally aligned hexagonal-packing spheres (6 < CN < 8) in a considerable parameter region. Moreover, we demonstrate that these exotic phases are hard to be stabilized by either of the two mechanisms individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yueming Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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21
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Yan J, Yan S, Tilly JC, Ko Y, Lee B, Spontak RJ. Ionic complexation of endblock-sulfonated thermoplastic elastomers and their physical gels for improved thermomechanical performance. J Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 567:419-428. [PMID: 32088505 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) composed of nonpolar triblock copolymers constitute a broadly important class of (re)processable network-forming macromolecules employed in ubiquitous commercial applications. Physical gelation of these materials in the presence of a low-volatility oil that is midblock-selective yields tunably soft TPE gels (TPEGs) that are suitable for emergent technologies ranging from electroactive, phase-change and shape-memory responsive media to patternable soft substrates for flexible electronics and microfluidics. Many of the high-volume TPEs used for these purposes possess styrenic endblocks that are inherently limited by a relatively low glass transition temperature. To mitigate this shortcoming, we sulfonate and subsequently complex (and physically crosslink) the endblocks with trivalent Al3+ ions. Doing so reduces the effective hydrophilicity of the sulfonated endblocks, as evidenced by water uptake measurements, while concurrently enhancing the thermomechanical stability of the corresponding TPEGs. Chemical modification results, as well as morphological and property development, are investigated as functions of the degree of sulfonation, complexation and TPEG composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yan
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Shaoyi Yan
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Joseph C Tilly
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Yeongun Ko
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Byeongdu Lee
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
| | - Richard J Spontak
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA; Department of Materials Science & Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA.
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22
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Xie Q, Qiang Y, Li W. Regulate the Stability of Gyroids of ABC-Type Multiblock Copolymers by Controlling the Packing Frustration. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:278-283. [PMID: 35638691 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We propose to regulate the stability of gyroids of ABC-type multiblock copolymers by controlling the packing frustration of majority-component B-blocks. Accordingly, we investigate the self-assembly behaviors of the BABCB linear terpolymer with a variable length ratio τ of the middle B-block relative to the total B-blocks using self-consistent field theory. It is observed that the gyroid region exhibits a maximal width with respect to τ, which is attributed by the nonmonotonical change of the packing frustration of three B-blocks in the morphology of discrete domains, for example, cylinders. Then we further purposely design another ABC-type copolymer composed of an ABC linear triblock tethered by another B-block at the middle of the B-block. In contrast, the packing frustration of B-blocks of the second terpolymer drops down continuously as the middle B-block shortens, thus, expanding the stable regions of cylinders and spheres while contracting those of lamella and gyroid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Key Laboratory of Computational Physical Sciences, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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23
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Liu M, Chen K, Li W, Wang X. Tunable helical structures formed by ABC triblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:26333-26341. [PMID: 31782439 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp04978a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Block copolymers confined in nanopores provide unique achiral systems for the formation of helical structures. With AB diblock copolymers, stable single and double helical structures are observed. Aiming to obtain more different helical structures, we replace the AB diblock copolymer with linear ABC triblock copolymers. We speculate that a core-shell superstructure is formed within the nanopore, which is composed of a C-core cylinder wrapped by B-helices within the A-shell. Accordingly, the pore surface is set to be most attractive to the majority A-block and a typical set of interaction parameters is chosen as χACN ≪ χABN = χBCN = 80 to generate the frustrated interfaces. Furthermore, the volume fraction of B-block is fixed as fB = 0.1 to form helical cylinders. A number of helical structures with strands ranging from 1 to 5 are predicted by self-consistent field theory, and in general, the number of strands decreases as the volume fraction of C-block fC increases in a given nanopore. More surprisingly, the variation of helical strand in the confined system has an opposite trend to that in the bulk, which mainly results from the constraint of the cylindrical confinement on the change of the curvature between the outer A-layer and the inner B/C-superdomain. Our work demonstrates a facile way to fabricate different helical superstructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijiao Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou 310018, China.
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24
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Chen L, Qiang Y, Li W. Tuning Arm Architecture Leads to Unusual Phase Behaviors in a (BAB)5 Star Copolymer Melt. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yicheng Qiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Weihua Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Polymers and Polymer Composite Materials, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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25
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Mukhtyar AJ, Escobedo FA. Developing Local Order Parameters for Order–Disorder Transitions From Particles to Block Copolymers: Application to Macromolecular Systems. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita J. Mukhtyar
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
| | - Fernando A. Escobedo
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850, United States
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26
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Wu J, Huang Z, Lang W, Wang X, Li S. Surface-Induced Nanostructures and Phase Diagrams of ABC Linear Triblock Copolymers under Spherical Confinement: A Self-Consistent Field Theory Simulation. Polymers (Basel) 2018; 10:E1276. [PMID: 30961201 PMCID: PMC6401785 DOI: 10.3390/polym10111276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigate the nanostructures and phase diagrams of ABC linear triblock copolymers confined in spherical cavities by using real-space self-consistent field theory. Various 3D morphologies, such as spherical concentric lamellae, dumbbell-like cylinder, and rotational structures, are identified in the phase diagrams, which are constructed on the basis of the diameters of spherical cavities and the interaction between the polymers and preferential surfaces. We designate specific monomer-monomer interactions and block compositions, with which the polymers spontaneously form a cylindrical morphology in bulk, and firstly study morphology transformation with a neutral surface when a confining radius progressively increases. We then focus on phase morphologies under the preferential surfaces and consolidate them into phase diagrams. The spherical radius and the degree of preferential interactions can obviously induce the formation of a cylindrical morphology. Theoretical results correspond to an amount of recent experimental observations to a high degree and contribute to synthesising functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wu
- Department of Physics, Wenzhou Vocational & Technical College, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Zhihong Huang
- Department of Physics, Wenzhou Vocational & Technical College, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Wenchang Lang
- Department of Physics, Wenzhou Vocational & Technical College, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xianghong Wang
- Department of Physics, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shiben Li
- Department of Physics, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
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27
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Yoshida K, Tanaka S, Yamamoto T, Tajima K, Borsali R, Isono T, Satoh T. Chain-End Functionalization with a Saccharide for 10 nm Microphase Separation: “Classical” PS-b-PMMA versus PS-b-PMMA-Saccharide. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yoshida
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Shunma Tanaka
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Kenji Tajima
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Isono
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Satoh
- Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
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28
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Yoshida K, Tian L, Miyagi K, Yamazaki A, Mamiya H, Yamamoto T, Tajima K, Isono T, Satoh T. Facile and Efficient Modification of Polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) for Achieving Sub-10 nm Feature Size. Macromolecules 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b01454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Yoshida
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Lin Tian
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Ken Miyagi
- Next Generation Material Development Division Research & Development Department, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kanagawa 253-0114, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Yamazaki
- Next Generation Material Development Division Research & Development Department, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd., Kanagawa 253-0114, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mamiya
- Quantum Beam Unit, Advanced Key Technologies Division, National Institute for Materials Science, Ibaraki 305-0047, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Kenji Tajima
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Takuya Isono
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Satoh
- Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 080-8628, Japan
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