Head–Tail Asymmetry as the Determining Factor in the Formation of Polymer Cubosomes or Hexasomes in a Rod–Coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer |
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| Authors: | Xiaolin Lyu Anqi Xiao Wei Zhang Pingping Hou Kehua Gu Zhehao Tang Hongbing Pan Fan Wu Prof Zhihao Shen Prof Xing‐He Fan |
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| Institution: | Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, 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, China |
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| Abstract: | The self‐assembly of a rod–coil amphiphilic block copolymer (ABCP) led to Im m and Pn m polymer cubosomes and p6mm polymer hexasomes. This is the first time that these structures are observed in a rod–coil system. By varying the hydrophobic chain length, the initial concentration of the polymer solution, or the solubility parameter of the mixed solvent, head–tail asymmetry is adjusted to control the formation of polymer cubosomes or hexasomes. The formation mechanism of the polymer cubosomes was also studied. This research opens up a new way for further study of the bicontinuous and inverse phases in different ABCP systems. |
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| Keywords: | block copolymers head– tail asymmetry inverse phases self-assembly solvent effects |
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m and Pn
m polymer cubosomes and p6mm polymer hexasomes. This is the first time that these structures are observed in a rod–coil system. By varying the hydrophobic chain length, the initial concentration of the polymer solution, or the solubility parameter of the mixed solvent, head–tail asymmetry is adjusted to control the formation of polymer cubosomes or hexasomes. The formation mechanism of the polymer cubosomes was also studied. This research opens up a new way for further study of the bicontinuous and inverse phases in different ABCP systems.