Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

Author: P. Alexandridis

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2000-10-18

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 0080527108

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It is the belief of the editors of this book that the recognition of block copolymers as being amphiphilic molecules and sharing common features with other well-studied amphiphiles will prove beneficial to both the surfactant and the polymer communities. An aim of this book is to bridge the two communities and cross-fertilise the different fields. To this end, leading researchers in the field of amphiphilic block copolymer self-assembly, some having a background in surfactant chemistry, and others with polymer physics roots, have agreed to join forces and contribute to this book.The book consists of four entities. The first part discusses theoretical considerations behind the block copolymer self-assembly in solution and in the melt. The second part provides case studies of self-assembly in different classes of block copolymers (e.g., polyethers, polyelectrolytes) and in different environments (e.g., in water, in non-aqueous solvents, or in the absence of solvents). The third part presents experimental tools, ranging from static (e.g., small angle neutron scattering) to dynamic (e.g., rheology), which can prove valuable in the characterization of block copolymer self-assemblies. The fourth part offers a sampling of current applications of block copolymers in, e.g., formulations, pharmaceutics, and separations, applications which are based on the unique self-assembly properties of block copolymers.


Block Copolymers in Solution

Block Copolymers in Solution

Author: Ian W. Hamley

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2005-12-13

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0470016973

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This unique text discusses the solution self-assembly of block copolymers and covers all aspects from basic physical chemistry to applications in soft nanotechnology. Recent advances have enabled the preparation of new materials with novel self-assembling structures, functionality and responsiveness and there have also been concomitant advances in theory and modelling. The present text covers the principles of self-assembly in both dilute and concentrated solution, for example micellization and mesophase formation, etc., in chapters 2 and 3 respectively. Chapter 4 covers polyelectrolyte block copolymers - these materials are attracting significant attention from researchers and a solid basis for understanding their physical chemistry is emerging, and this is discussed. The next chapter discusses adsorption of block copolymers from solution at liquid and solid interfaces. The concluding chapter presents a discussion of selected applications, focussing on several important new concepts. The book is aimed at researchers in polymer science as well as industrial scientists involved in the polymer and coatings industries. It will also be of interest to scientists working in soft matter self-assembly and self-organizing polymers.


Block Copolymers in Nanoscience

Block Copolymers in Nanoscience

Author: Massimo Lazzari

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2007-06-27

Total Pages: 447

ISBN-13: 3527610561

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This first book to take a detailed look at one of the key focal points where nanotechnology and polymers meet provides both an introductory view for beginners as well as in-depth knowledge for specialists in the various research areas involved. It investigates all types of application for block copolymers: as tools for fabricating other nanomaterials, as structural components in hybrid materials and nanocomposites, and as functional materials. The multidisciplinary approach covers all stages from chemical synthesis and characterization, presenting applications from physics and chemistry to biology and medicine, such as micro- and nanolithography, membranes, optical labeling, drug delivery, as well as sensory and analytical uses.


Block Copolymers I

Block Copolymers I

Author: Volker Abetz

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2005-12-02

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 9783540265801

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1 N. Hadjichristidis, M. Pitsikalis, H. Iatrou: Synthesis of Block Copolymers.- 2 V. Abetz: Phase Behaviour and Morphologies of Block Copolymers.-


Self-Assembly

Self-Assembly

Author: Ramanathan Nagarajan

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-01-07

Total Pages: 364

ISBN-13: 1119001366

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An introduction to the state-of-the-art of the diverse self-assembly systems Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles provides an effective entry for new researchers into this exciting field while also giving the state of the art assessment of the diverse self-assembling systems for those already engaged in this research. Over the last twenty years, self-assembly has emerged as a distinct science/technology field, going well beyond the classical surfactant and block copolymer molecules, and encompassing much larger and complex molecular, biomolecular and nanoparticle systems. Within its ten chapters, each contributed by pioneers of the respective research topics, the book: Discusses the fundamental physical chemical principles that govern the formation and properties of self-assembled systems Describes important experimental techniques to characterize the properties of self-assembled systems, particularly the nature of molecular organization and structure at the nano, meso or micro scales. Provides the first exhaustive accounting of self-assembly derived from various kinds of biomolecules including peptides, DNA and proteins. Outlines methods of synthesis and functionalization of self-assembled nanoparticles and the further self-assembly of the nanoparticles into one, two or three dimensional materials. Explores numerous potential applications of self-assembled structures including nanomedicine applications of drug delivery, imaging, molecular diagnostics and theranostics, and design of materials to specification such as smart responsive materials and self-healing materials. Highlights the unifying as well as contrasting features of self-assembly, as we move from surfactant molecules to nanoparticles. Written for students and academic and industrial scientists and engineers, by pioneers of the research field, Self-Assembly: From Surfactants to Nanoparticles is a comprehensive resource on diverse self-assembly systems, that is simultaneously introductory as well as the state of the art.


Flow-directed Solution Self-assembly of Block Copolymers in Microfluidic Devices

Flow-directed Solution Self-assembly of Block Copolymers in Microfluidic Devices

Author: Joe Chih-Wei Wang

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages:

ISBN-13:

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The self-assembly of polystyrene-stabilized cadmium sulfide nanoparticles (PS-CdS) with amphiphilic stabilizing chains of polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PS-b-PAA) into colloidal quantum dot compound micelles (QDCMs) is studied on two-phase gas-liquid segmented microfluidic reactors. The resulting particle sizes are found to arise from the interplay of shear-induced coalescence and particle breakup, depending on a combination of chemical and flow conditions. Variation of water content, gas-to-liquid ratio, and total flow rate, enable control of QDCM sizes in the range of 140? 40 nm. The flow-variable shear effect on similar microfluidic reactors is then applied to direct the solution self-assembly of a PS-b-PAA block copolymer into various micelle morphologies. The difference between off-chip and on-chip morphologies under identical chemical conditions is explained by a mechanism of shear-induced coalescence enabled by strong and localized on-chip shear fields, followed by intraparticle chain rearrangements to minimize local free energies. Time-dependent studies of these nanostructures reveal that on-chip kinetic structures will relax to global equilibrium given sufficient time off-chip. Further investigations into the effect of chemical variables on on-chip shear-induced morphologies reveal a combination of thermodynamic and kinetic effects, opening avenues for morphology control via combined chemical (bottom-up) and shear (top-down) forces. An equilibrium phase diagram of off-chip micelle morphologies is constructed and used in conjunction with kinetic considerations to rationalize on-chip mechanisms and morphologies, including cylinders and vesicles, under different chemical conditions. Finally, we extend our strategy of two-phase microfluidic self-assembly of PS-b-PAA to the loading of fluorescent hydrophobic probes (pyrene and naphthalene) with different affinities for the PS core. The on-chip loading approach provides a fast alternate to the slow off-chip method, with implications for the potential development for point-of-care devices for drug loading. On-chip loading results indicate that loading efficiencies are dependent on water content and, to a lesser extent, on flow rate; the results also suggest that the on-chip morphologies of the PS-b-PAA micelles are an important factor in the loading efficiencies.


Soft-Matter Characterization

Soft-Matter Characterization

Author: Redouane Borsali

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-07-28

Total Pages: 1490

ISBN-13: 140204464X

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This 2-volume set includes extensive discussions of scattering techniques (light, neutron and X-ray) and related fluctuation and grating techniques that are at the forefront of this field. Most of the scattering techniques are Fourier space techniques. Recent advances have seen the development of powerful direct imaging methods such as atomic force microscopy and scanning probe microscopy. In addition, techniques that can be used to manipulate soft matter on the nanometer scale are also in rapid development. These include the scanning probe microscopy technique mentioned above as well as optical and magnetic tweezers.


Design and Characterization of Self-assembled Nanostructures of Block Copolymers in Solution

Design and Characterization of Self-assembled Nanostructures of Block Copolymers in Solution

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2009

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780549924067

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Self-assembling amphiphilic block copolymers have been studied extensively due to their ability to form a wide range of morphologies including spheres, cylinders, and vesicles. Changing the molecular composition of the block copolymer, the relative block lengths, and the solution conditions can alter the assembly behavior. The main goal of this dissertation is to investigate the self-assembly of two different amphiphilic block copolymer systems in an effort to controllably make different assembled structures. Amphiphilic, triblock copolymers of poly(acrylic acid)- b -poly(methyl acrylate)- b -polystyrene (PAA-PMA-PS) in tetrahydrofuran (THF)/ water solvent mixtures were studied. The solution conditions and the relative block lengths were varied, and complexation with an amine counterion was used to influence the self-assembly of these materials. A variety of structures were observed including phase-separated nanoparticles, bulk-like lamellar phase separation, spherical, cylindrical, and disk-like micelles, as well as toroidal assemblies. The specific structure formed was dependent on the composition of the triblock copolymer, the amount and valency of the counterion present, and the THF to water volume ratio. The structure of polymer nanoparticles and networks formed in low water content systems was examined. The size of the nanoparticles and whether separated nanoparticles vs. an interconnected network was formed was controlled via solvent composition. Importantly, both the nanoparticles and network phases contained their own inherent nanostructure due to local phase separation of the block copolymers. This phase behavior within the nanoparticles could be tuned, i.e. porous or lamellar internal structure, by changing the valency of the amine counterion. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM), traditional TEM, and neutron scattering were used to examine these samples. In addition to these triblock copolymers, amphiphilic diblock copolypeptides of hydrophobic leucine (L) and hydrophilic lysine (K) with poly(ethylene glycol) side groups were investigated. The effect of the copolypeptide design on the resulting morphology was studied by examining diblock compositions with different block lengths and secondary structures. It was determined that the secondary structure of these peptides plays a significant role in influencing the assembly of these materials.