Helical wrapping of diblock copolymers on nanocylinder

Hsing Lun Wu, Heng Kwong Tsao, Yu Jane Sheng

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The development of the helical structure of diblock copolymers in solutions or melts is a challenging task although helices can be readily formed in a confined environment such as nanopore. In this study, dissipative particle dynamic simulations are performed to explore helical supramolecular structures self-assembled from diblock copolymers induced by nanocylinder. At low polymer concentrations, helical ellipsoids are formed on the nanocylinder and they remain stable after the nanocylinder is removed. As the concentration increases, three types of cylindrical morphologies appear: single-single helix, double-double helix, or segmented structures. The influences of block lengths and block-nanocylinder interaction on suprastructures are shown in the morphological phase diagram. When the nanocylinder is bounded by two planes, a helical funnel can emerge. In the presence of a ring-like nanoparticle, a helical toroid can arise. Our simulation results provide a new strategy for the fabrication of various helical assemblies of diblock copolymers in solutions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)104-109
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers
Volume81
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Diblock copolymer
  • Helical wrapping
  • Molecular simulations
  • Morphological phase diagram
  • Nanocylinder

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