Dimensional Control of Block Copolymer Nanofibers with a π‐Conjugated Core: Crystallization‐Driven Solution Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine)

With the aim of accessing colloidally stable, fiberlike, π‐conjugated nanostructures of controlled length, we have studied the solution self‐assembly of two asymmetric crystalline–coil, regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P3HT‐b‐P2VP) diblock copolymers, P3HT₂₃‐b‐P2VP₁₁₅ (block ratio=1:5) and P3HT₄₄‐b‐P2VP₁₁₅ (block ratio=ca. 1:3). The self‐assembly studies were performed under a variety of solvent conditions that were selective for the P2VP block. The block copolymers were prepared by using Cu‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions of azide‐terminated P2VP and alkyne end‐functionalized P3HT homopolymers. When the block copolymers were self‐assembled in a solution of a 50 % (v/v) mixture of THF (a good solvent for both blocks) and an alcohol (a selective solvent for the P2VP block) by means of the slow evaporation of the common solvent; fiberlike micelles with a P3HT core and a P2VP corona were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average lengths of the micelles were found to increase as the length of the hydrocarbon chain increased in the P2VP‐selective alcoholic solvent (MeOH<iPrOH<nBuOH). Very long (>3 μm) fiberlike micelles were prepared by the dialysis of solutions of the block copolymers in THF against iPrOH. Furthermore the widths of the fibers were dependent on the degree of polymerization of the chain‐extended P3HT blocks. The crystallinity and π‐conjugated nature of the P3HT core in the fiberlike micelles was confirmed by a combination of UV/Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) measurements, and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS). Intense sonication (iPrOH, 1 h, 0 °C) of the fiberlike micelles formed by P3HT₂₃‐b‐P2VP₁₁₅ resulted in small (ca. 25 nm long) stublike fragments that were subsequently used as initiators in seeded growth experiments. Addition of P3HT₂₃‐b‐P2VP₁₁₅ unimers to the seeds allowed the preparation of fiberlike micelles with narrow length distributions (L_w/L_n <1.11) and lengths from about 100‐300 nm, that were dependent on the unimer‐to‐seed micelle ratio.     

Concurrent Block Copolymer Polymersome Stabilization and Bilayer Permeabilization by Stimuli‐Regulated “Traceless” Crosslinking

The fabrication of block copolymer (BCP) vesicles (polymersomes) exhibiting synchronized covalent crosslinking and bilayer permeabilization remains a considerable challenge as crosslinking typically leads to compromised membrane permeability. Herein it is demonstrated how to solve this dilemma by employing a stimuli‐triggered crosslinking strategy with amphiphilic BCPs containing photolabile carbamate‐caged primary amines. Upon self‐assembling into polymersomes, light‐triggered self‐immolative decaging reactions release primary amine moieties and extensive amidation reactions then occur due to suppressed amine pK_a within hydrophobic milieu. This leads to serendipitous vesicle crosslinking and the process is associated with bilayer hydrophobicity‐to‐hydrophilicity transition and membrane permeabilization.     

Sphere‐to‐Rod Transition of Micelles formed by the Semicrystalline Polybutadiene‐block‐Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymer in a Selective Solvent

We present a morphological study of the micellization of an asymmetric semicrystalline block copolymer, poly(butadiene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide), in the selective solvent n‐heptane. The molecular weights of the poly(butadiene) (PB) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) blocks are 26 and 3.5 kg · mol⁻¹, respectively. In this solvent, micellization into a liquid PEO‐core and a corona of PB‐chains takes place at room temperature. Through a thermally controlled crystallization of the PEO core at −30 °C, spherical micelles with a crystalline PEO core and a PB corona are obtained. However, crystallization at much lower temperatures (−196 °C; liquid nitrogen) leads to the transition from spherical to rod‐like micelles. With time these rod‐like micelles aggregate and form long needles. Concomitantly, the degree of crystallinity of the PEO‐cores of the rod‐like micelles increases. The transition from a spherical to a rod‐like morphology can be explained by a decrease of solvent power of the solvent n‐heptane for the PB‐corona chains: n‐Heptane becomes a poor solvent at very low temperatures leading to a shrinking of the coronar chains. This favors the transition from spheres to a morphology with a smaller mean curvature, that is, to a cylindrical morphology.

     

Synthesis and Aqueous Self‐Assembly of a Polyferrocenylsilane‐block‐poly(aminoalkyl methacrylate) Diblock Copolymer

Water‐soluble cylindrical micelles with an organometallic core are formed by self‐assembly of the first polyferrocenylsilane‐block‐polyacrylate block copolymer, synthesized by anionic polymerization, in water at pH 8. A transmission electron microscopy image of the micelles is shown in the Figure.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of pH‐Responsive Amphiphilic Poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐block‐Poly(pentafluorostyrene) Block Copolymer in Aqueous Solution

We report the synthesis of a novel pH‐responsive amphiphilic block copolymer poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐block‐poly(pentafluorostyrene) (PDMAEMA‐b‐PPFS) using RAFT‐mediated living radical polymerization. Copolymer micelle formation, in aqueous solution, was investigated using fluorescence spectroscopy, static and dynamic light scattering (SLS and DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). DLS and SLS measurements revealed that the diblock copolymers form spherical micelles with large aggregation numbers, N_agg ≈ 30 where the dense PPFS core is surrounded by dangling PDMAEMA chains as the micelle corona. The hydrodynamic radii, R_h of these micelles is large, at pH 2–5 as the protonated PDMAEMA segments swell the micelle corona. Above pH 5, the PDMAEMA segments are gradually deprotonated, resulting in a lower osmotic pressure and enhanced hydrophobicity within the micelle, thus decreasing the R_h. However, the radius of gyration, R_g remains independent of pH as the dense PPFS cores predominate.

     

Chaotropic‐Anion‐Induced Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Ionic Polymeric Micelles

Traditional micelle self‐assembly is driven by the association of hydrophobic segments of amphiphilic molecules forming distinctive core–shell nanostructures in water. Here we report a surprising chaotropic‐anion‐induced micellization of cationic ammonium‐containing block copolymers. The resulting micelle nanoparticle consists of a large number of ion pairs (≈60 000) in each hydrophobic core. Unlike chaotropic anions (e.g. ClO₄^?), kosmotropic anions (e.g. SO₄^2?) were not able to induce micelle formation. A positive cooperativity was observed during micellization, for which only a three‐fold increase in ClO₄^? concentration was necessary for micelle formation, similar to our previously reported ultra‐pH‐responsive behavior. This unique ion‐pair‐containing micelle provides a useful model system to study the complex interplay of noncovalent interactions (e.g. electrostatic, van der Waals, and hydrophobic forces) during micelle self‐assembly.     

Hairy Nanospheres by Gelation of Reactive Block Copolymer Micelles

Summary: A novel way to prepare polymer hair/polysilsesquioxane core hybrid nanospheres is presented based on a self‐assembly and gelation process of a reactive block copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly[3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate] (PEO₁₁₃‐b‐PTMSPMA₂₀₆). Nanospheres of uniform size were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and static light scattering (SLS) were employed to characterize the products.

Schematic of the PEO‐b‐PTMSPMA nanospheres formed here, the light gray part represents the PEO hairs, the dark parts are the polysilsesquioxane from the gelation of the PTMSPMA blocks of the self‐assembled sphere.     

Hybrid Compound Block Copolymer Micelles Encapsulating Gold Nanoparticles

We report here on the formation of hybrid compound block copolymer micelles encapsulating gold nanoparticles, utilizing a direct and general preparation method. The giant hybrid compound micelles are structured with micelles of PS‐b‐P2VP with gold nanoparticles in their P2VP core and PI‐b‐PS chains as the outer part of the compound micelles. The gold nanoparticles were produced using gold ion‐loaded PS‐b‐P2VP micelles as a nanoreactor, in a PS selective solvent (toluene), by the subsequent reduction of gold ions. The synthesis of the gold nanoparticles was monitored by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The gold containing micelles were then encapsulated in larger micelles of PI‐b‐PS copolymer, by successive utilization of toluene and heptane with the intermediate evaporation of toluene. The nanoassembly of the compound materials comprised a PI corona and a PS compound core, with P2VP/Au⁰ domains, and was characterized using UV‐vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy.

     

Recent advances in the solution self‐assembly of amphiphilic “rod‐coil” copolymers

Solution self‐assembly of amphiphilic “rod‐coil” copolymers, especially linear block copolymers and graft copolymers (also referred to as polymer brushes), has attracted considerable interest, as replacing one of the blocks of a coil‐coil copolymer with a rigid segment results in distinct self‐assembly features compared with those of the coil‐coil copolymer. The unique interplay between microphase separation of the rod and coil blocks with great geometric disparities can lead to the formation of unusual morphologies that are distinctly different from those known for coil‐coil copolymers. This review presents the recent achievements in the controlled self‐assembly of rod‐coil linear block copolymers and graft copolymers in solution, focusing on copolymer systems containing conjugated polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, polypeptides, and polyisocyanates as the rod segments. The discussions concentrate on the principle of controlling over the morphology of rod‐coil copolymer assemblies, as well as their distinctive optical and optoelectronic properties or biocompatibility and stimuli‐responsiveness, which afford the assemblies great potential as functional materials particularly for optical, optoelectronic and biological applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1459–1477     

In Situ Visualization of Block Copolymer Self‐Assembly in Organic Media by Super‐Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy

Analytical methods that enable visualization of nanomaterials derived from solution self‐assembly processes in organic solvents are highly desirable. Herein, we demonstrate the use of stimulated emission depletion microscopy (STED) and single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) to map living crystallization‐driven block copolymer (BCP) self‐assembly in organic media at the sub‐diffraction scale. Four different dyes were successfully used for single‐colour super‐resolution imaging of the BCP nanostructures allowing micelle length distributions to be determined in situ. Dual‐colour SMLM imaging was used to measure and compare the rate of addition of red fluorescent BCP to the termini of green fluorescent seed micelles to generate block comicelles. Although well‐established for aqueous systems, the results highlight the potential of super‐resolution microscopy techniques for the interrogation of self‐assembly processes in organic media.     

Aqueous Self‐Assembly of Purely Hydrophilic Block Copolymers into Giant Vesicles

Self‐assembly of macromolecules is fundamental to life itself, and historically, these systems have been primitively mimicked by the development of amphiphilic systems, driven by the hydrophobic effect. Herein, we demonstrate that self‐assembly of purely hydrophilic systems can be readily achieved with similar ease and success. We have synthesized double hydrophilic block copolymers from polysaccharides and poly(ethylene oxide) or poly(sarcosine) to yield high molar mass diblock copolymers through oxime chemistry. These hydrophilic materials can easily assemble into nanosized (<500 nm) and microsized (>5 μm) polymeric vesicles depending on concentration and diblock composition. Because of the solely hydrophilic nature of these materials, we expect them to be extraordinarily water permeable systems that would be well suited for use as cellular mimics.     

Hierarchical Self‐Assembly of PDMA‐b‐PS Chains into Granular Nanoparticles: Genesis and Fate

The hierarchical self‐assembly of an amphiphilic block copolymer, poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐block‐polystyrene with a very short hydrophilic block (PDMA₁₀‐b‐PS₆₂), in large granular nanoparticles is reported. While these nanoparticles are stable in water, their disaggregation can be induced either mechanically (i.e., by applying a force via the tip of the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM)) or by partial hydrolysis of the acrylamide groups. AFM force spectroscopy images show the rupture of the particle as a combination of collapse and flow, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of partly hydrolyzed nanoparticles provide a clear picture of the granular structure.

     

Supramolecular Chemistry in the Formation of Self‐Assembled Nanostructures from a High‐Molecular‐Weight Rod–Coil Block Copolymer

The self‐assembled nanostructures of a high‐molecular‐weight rod–coil block copolymer, poly(styrene‐block‐(2,5‐bis[4‐methoxyphenyl]oxycarbonyl)styrene) (PS‐b‐PMPCS), in p‐xylene are studied. The cylindrical micelles, long segmental cylindrical micelle associates, spherical micelles, and spherical micelle associates are observed with increased copolymer concentration. The high molecular weight of PS leads to the entanglement between PS chains from different micelles, which is the force for supramolecular interactions. Short cylindrical micelles are connected end‐to‐end via this supramolecular chemistry to form long segmental cylindrical micelle associates, analogue to the condensation polymerization process, with direction and saturation. On the other hand, spherical micelles assemble via supramolecular chemistry to form spherical micelle associates, yet without any direction due to their isotropic properties.

     

Two Types of Block Copolymer Micelles with Ion‐Containing Cores

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of micellization of block copolymer with hydrophilic nonionic corona‐forming blocks and weak polyelectrolyte (wPE) core‐forming blocks with pH‐triggered solubility in aqueous solutions. We demonstrate that in addition to micelles with neutral cores, there exist two other types of micelles with PE‐ or ionomer‐like cores, in which monovalent counterions are released or condensed on core wPE block, respectively. The transition between the two types of micelles occurred upon changes in ionization of the PE core block and resulted in nonmonotonous changes of aggregation number as a function of pH. Such micelles with stimulus responsive cores represent promising nanocarriers for controlled delivery applications.

     

All‐Conjugated,Rod‐Rod Block Copolymers‐Generation and Self‐Assembly Properties

Based on their rigid‐rod structure all‐conjugated, rod‐rod block copolymers show a preferred tendency to self‐assemble into low‐curvature vesicular or lamellar nanostructures independent from their specific chemical structure and composition. This unique and attractive behaviour is clearly illustrated in a few examples of such all‐conjugated block copolymers. The resulting nanostructured heteromaterials may find applications in electronic devices or artificial membranes.

     

A Supramolecularly Assisted Transformation of Block‐Copolymer Micelles into Nanotubes

Once around the block : Incorporation of a rigid hydrogen‐bonding benzamide unit, placed at the interface between two polymer blocks, in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–(thio)urea–poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA) block copolymers transforms the morphology of the block copolymers, from spherical micelles, as formed by PEG‐PLLA diblock copolymers, into nanotubes in solution.

     

Chiral Polymeric Micelles From Electrostatic Assembly Between Achiral Porphyrins and Block Copolymers

A chiral polymeric micelle is described, formed from the self‐assembly of TPPS and PEG₁₁₄‐b‐P(4VP)₃₈ in aqueous media based on their electrostatic interaction. The self‐assembly behavior is studied by DLS, SLS, TEM, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy, and CD spectroscopy. The experimental results indicate that the resultant hybrid spherical micelles with a hybrid P(4VP)/TPPS core and a PEG shell show chiral signatures. In addition, the chiral micelles have a large dimension and biphasic segregated structure because of the formation of H‐aggregates and J‐aggregates in the micellar core.