Controlling block copolymer one-dimensional self-assembly in polymeric matrices.

The synthesis of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures in polymeric matrices has become the focus of much research, as the presence of these highly anisotropic domains determines the transport behaviour and mechanical properties of the resulting nanostructured polymers. In this work, 1D PEO nanocrystals were synthesized from polystyrene--polyethylene oxide (PS--PEO) self-assembly in a polystyrene matrix. For this, three different block copolymers (BCP) were employed: L-BCP (PS = 32 000 Da and PEO = 11 000 Da), M-BCP, (PS = 59 000 Da and PEO = 31 000 Da), and H-BCP, (PS = 102 000 Da and PEO = 34 000 Da).

Long PEO-based nanoribbons generated in a polystyrene matrix through reaction-induced microphase separation followed by a fast crystallization process.

A dispersion of elongated nanostructures with a high aspect ratio in polymer matrices has been reported to provide a material with valuable properties such as mechanical strength, barrier effect and shape memory, among others. In this study, we show the procedure to achieve a distribution of elongated crystalline nanodomains in a PS matrix employing the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers (BCP). The selected BCP was polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide (PS-b-PEO).