Metal Coordination Induces Phase Segregation in Amphipolar Arborescent Copolymers with a Core-Shell-Corona Architecture.

ABSTRACT: Arborescent copolymers with a core-shell-corona (CSC) architecture were synthesized and the topology of the molecules was challenged (constrained) through intramolecular interactions, resulting in phase separation breaking the symmetry of radial density. The inner poly(2-vinylpyridine) shell of these arborescent polystyrene-g-[poly(2-vinylpyridine)-b-polystyrene] molecules can self-assemble by binding metallic salts and acids in apolar and intermediate-polarity solvents. Upon loading with HAuCl₄, the characteristics of the polymer templates govern the "loading sites" of the metal within the molecules. Unique morphologies were observed for the metal-loaded G0-G4 arborescent copolymers investigated, namely, spherical, toroidal, raspberry-like, spherical nanocage, and

SUBMITTER: Dockendorff J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9062874 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature