Issue 32, 2024

Chemical doping-assisted shape transformation of block copolymer particles

Abstract

Shape-tunable block copolymer (BCP) particles have attracted significant attention due to their applications as smart materials. Herein, we report iodine (I2)-mediated doping of polystyrene-block-polybutadiene (PS-b-PB) particles as a facile strategy to transform spherical BCP particles into nonspherical shaped particles. Upon introducing the I2 molecules to internally phase-separated spherical PS-b-PB particles, I2 selectively reacts with the double bonds in PB blocks while leaving the PS block unaffected. Monitoring the shape-transformation process reveals a gradual structural transition from spheres to oblates and ellipsoids as a function of reaction time, consistent with the increasing conversion of the double bonds into I2-doped cation radicals. Consequently, the interfacial tension of I2-doped PB blocks decreases, neutralizing the interfacial interaction of BCP and its surroundings, thereby restructuring the spherical particles into shape-anisotropic forms. Furthermore, the versatility of I2-mediated shape transition is demonstrated by applying the same chemistry to polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) BCP particles. Finally, spheroidal particles doped with I2 exhibit photothermal heating behavior, highlighting their potential application as photothermal agents.

Graphical abstract: Chemical doping-assisted shape transformation of block copolymer particles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
15 may 2024
Accepted
23 iyl 2024
First published
24 iyl 2024

Polym. Chem., 2024,15, 3311-3318

Chemical doping-assisted shape transformation of block copolymer particles

Z. Tan, J. Park, S. H. Han, T. N. Phan, Y. Ahn, M. Xu, S. Kim, J. J. Shin and B. J. Kim, Polym. Chem., 2024, 15, 3311 DOI: 10.1039/D4PY00524D

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