Self-assembly of block copolymers into sieve-like particles with arrayed switchable channels and as scaffolds to guide the arrangement of gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Well-defined polymeric particles with not only a controllable shape and internal nanostructures but also stimuli-responsive functions have attracted intensive attention because of their great potential in various fields. Herein, we created unique sieve-like particles with lattice arrayed switchable channels via the confined self-assembly of poly(4-vinylpyridine)-b-polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP-b-PS-b-P4VP) triblock copolymers within the emulsion droplets and the subsequent swelling treatment in ethanol. It is worth noting that the hexagonally packed P4VP channels in the sieve-like particles are switched on and off by changing the solvent type, i.e., P4VP channels are switched on in ethanol and switched off in water, which can operate as a solvent-controlled chemical gate. Moreover, the well-defined sieve-like particles can be further used as scaffolds to guide the spatial arrangement of gold nanoparticles, which generates hybrid nanomaterials with controllable morphology and ordered spatial arrangement of AuNPs.