Structure of nanorod assembly in the gyroid phase of diblock copolymer

TitleStructure of nanorod assembly in the gyroid phase of diblock copolymer
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsChakraborty, S, Roy, S
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume119
Issue22
Pagination6803-6812
Date PublishedJUN
ISSN1520-6106
Abstract

Diblock copolymers undergo microphase separation to form various microstructures, for example, lamellar, gyroid, cylindrical, cubic phases depending on compostion and segregation strength (Flory-Huggins parameter chi). Thus, it can act as template to organize doped nanomaterials into different 3D self-assembled structures located within the block copolymer matrix. Gyroid phase is One of the microstructures formed by block copolymer. It has a curved interfacial surface providing confinements throughout the matrix and thus can regulate the shape and sizes of self-assembled nanorods doped in it. Mesoscale simulation of model systems has been performed to explore the structure and dynamics of self-assembly of bundles formed by nanorods of different flexibilities in the gyroid phase of diblock copolymer matrix. Bundles of different shapes and sizes have been found to be formed depending on the nanorod bending flexibility and copolymer-nanorod interactions. The shape anisotropy (kappa(2)) and radius of gyration (R-g(2)) of bundles situated at different interfacial confining locations of block copolymer-matrices have been investigated as a function of nanorod flexibility and nanorod-diblock copolymer miscibility.

DOI10.1021/acs.jpcb.5b01338
Type of Journal (Indian or Foreign)

Foreign

Impact Factor (IF)3.187
Divison category: 
Chemical Engineering & Process Development