Mesostructured spheres of organic/inorganic hybrid from gelable block copolymers and arched nano-objects thereof

Mesostructured microspheres formed by aerosol-assisted self-assembly of a gelable block copolymer, poly(3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate)- block-polystyrene (PTEPM -b-PS), were studied by a combination of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). When the copolymer composition was changed, the spheres with different internal patterns, such as onion-like lamella and curved cylinder, were obtained. Through a self-gelation process of PTEPM domains, novel organic/inorganic hybrid spheres with an internal tunable patterned structure were prepared. Since only PTEMP domains were cross-linked, the hybrid spheres could be further disintegrated by dispersion in a good solvent of PS. As a result, novel organic/inorganic hybrid nano-objects such as arched plates and cylinders were prepared.