Issue 37, 2023

Topology-controlled self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers

Abstract

Contemporary synthetic chemistry approaches can be used to yield a range of distinct polymer topologies with precise control. The topology of a polymer strongly influences its self-assembly into complex nanostructures however a clear mechanistic understanding of the relationship between polymer topology and self-assembly has not yet been developed. In this work, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to provide a nanoscale picture of the self-assembly of three poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(methyl acrylate) block copolymers with different topologies into micelles. We find that the topology affects the ability of the micelle to form a compact hydrophobic core, which directly affects its stability. Also, we apply unsupervised machine learning techniques to show that the topology of a polymer affects its ability to take a conformation in response to the local environment within the micelles. This work provides foundations for the rational design of polymer nanostructures based on their underlying topology.

Graphical abstract: Topology-controlled self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 Kul 2023
Accepted
16 Mha 2023
First published
30 Mha 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2023,15, 15230-15237

Topology-controlled self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers

R. López-Ríos de Castro, R. M. Ziolek and C. D. Lorenz, Nanoscale, 2023, 15, 15230 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR01204B

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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