A versatile approach to prepare ultralong nanofibers by coassembly of block copolymers and nanoparticles in emulsions

Abstract

The incorporation of functional nanoparticles within block copolymer micelles can form hybrid materials with desired optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. A versatile approach was developed to prepare ultralong nanofibers through the cooperative assembly of block copolymers and nanoparticles in emulsions. Enthalpic and entropic factors collectively contributed to the synergistic assembly of block copolymers and nanoparticles for the formation of uniform hybrids. The nanoparticles were precisely aligned in the central cores of the nanofibers which can reach to tens of micrometers. The uniform and ultralong nanofibers may serve as building blocks for constructing integrated architectures or devices for fundamental study and practical applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology.