The real time and in situ investigation of the crystallization process and structure transitions of asymmetric crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers from the melt was performed with synchrotron simultaneous SAXS/...The real time and in situ investigation of the crystallization process and structure transitions of asymmetric crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers from the melt was performed with synchrotron simultaneous SAXS/WAXS. The asymmetric poly（ethylene oxide）-b-poly（ε-caprolactone） diblock copolymers were chosen for the present study. It was shown that the short blocks crystallized later than the long blocks and final lamellar structure was formed in all of the asymmetric diblock copolymers. The final lamellar structure was confirmed by AFM observation. The SAXS data were analyzed with different methods for the early stage of the crystallization. The Guinier plots indicated that there were no isolated domains formed before the formation of lamellae in the asymmetric diblock copolymers during the crystallization process. Debye- Bueche plots implied the formation of correlated domains during crystallization.展开更多
Polystyrene-styrene/butadiene diblock copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer （RAFT） miniemulsion polymerization.During the polymerization process,the molecular weight distri...Polystyrene-styrene/butadiene diblock copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer （RAFT） miniemulsion polymerization.During the polymerization process,the molecular weight distribution was narrow and the numerical molecular weight of the copolymers increased with increasing conversion of monomers,which was close to the theoretical.FT-IR and ^1H NMR results indicated that the microstructure of the polymer was mainly 1,4-trans-butadiene with small amount of 1,2-units,and composition in the copolymers was obtained.展开更多
The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The blo...The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The block architecture of the two diblock copolymers thus prepared, MPCS-b-St(5400/2400) and MPCS-b-St(10800/8700), was confirmed by GPC, DSC studies and the formation of multimolecular micelles. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.展开更多
The self-assembly of symmetric diblock copolymers confined in the channels of variously shaped cross sections （regu- lar triangles, squares, and ellipses） is investigated using a simulated annealing technique. In th...The self-assembly of symmetric diblock copolymers confined in the channels of variously shaped cross sections （regu- lar triangles, squares, and ellipses） is investigated using a simulated annealing technique. In the bulk, the studied symmetric diblock copolymers form a lamellar structure with period LL. The geometry and surface property of the confining channels have a large effect on the self-assembled structures and the orientation of the lamellar structures. Stacked perpendicular lamellae with period LL are observed for neutral surfaces regardless of the channel shape and size, but each lamella is in the shape of the corresponding channel＇s cross section. In the case of triangle-shaped cross sections, stacked parallel lamel- lae are the majority morphologies for weakly selective surfaces, while morphologies including a triangular-prism-shaped B-cylinder and multiple tridentate lamellae are obtained for strongly selective surfaces. In the cases of square-shaped and ellipse-shaped cross sections, concentric lamellae are the signature morphology for strongly selective surfaces, whereas for weakly selective surfaces, stacked parallel lamellae, and several types of folding lamellae are obtained in the case of square-shaped cross sections, and stacked parallel lamellae are the majority morphologies in the case of ellipse-shaped cross sections when the length of the minor axis is commensurate with the bulk lamellar period. The mean-square end- to-end distance, the average contact number between different species and the surface concentration of the A-monomers are computed to elucidate the mechanisms of the formation of the different morphologies. It is found that the resulting morphology is a consequence of competition among the chain stretching, interfacial energy, and surface energy. Our results suggest that the self-assembled morphology and the orientation of lamellae can be manipulated by the shape, the size, and the surface property of the confining channels.展开更多
The phase behaviors in a binary mixture of diblock copolymers confined between two parallel walls are investigated by using a cell dynamics simulation of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory.The morphological dep...The phase behaviors in a binary mixture of diblock copolymers confined between two parallel walls are investigated by using a cell dynamics simulation of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory.The morphological dependence of the wall-block interaction and the distance between walls（confinement degree） has been systematically studied,and the effect of repulsive interactions between different monomers is also discussed.It is interesting that multiple novel morphological transitions are observed by changing these factors,and various multilayered sandwich structures are formed in the mixture.Furthermore,the parametric dependence and physical reasons for the microdomain growth and orientational order transitions are discussed.From the simulation,we find that much richer morphologies can form in a binary mixture of diblock copolymers than those in a pure diblock copolymer.Our results provide an insight into the phase behaviors under parallel wall confinement and may provide guidance for experimentalists.This model system can also give a simple way to realize orientational order transition in soft materials through confinement.展开更多
Stereocomplex crystallization in asymmetric diblock copolymers was studied using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations,and the key factor dominating the formation of stereocomplex crystallites(SCs)was uncovered.The asymmetr...Stereocomplex crystallization in asymmetric diblock copolymers was studied using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations,and the key factor dominating the formation of stereocomplex crystallites(SCs)was uncovered.The asymmetric diblock copolymers with higher degree of asymmetry exhibit larger difference between volume fractions of beads of different blocks,and local miscibility between different kinds of beads is lower,leading to lower SC content.To minimize the interference from volume fraction of beads,the SC formation in blends of asymmetric diblock copolymers was also studied.For the cases where the volume fractions of beads of different blocks are the same,similar local miscibility between beads of different blocks and similar SC content was observed.These findings indicate that the volume fraction of beads of different blocks is a key factor controlling the SC formation in the asymmetric diblock copolymers.The SC content can be regulated by adjusting the difference between the contents of beads of different blocks in asymmetric diblock copolymers.展开更多
Systematic comparison between computer simulation results and those predicted by Scheutjens-Fleer (SF) self-consistent-field theory is presented for the adsorption of diblock copolymers from a non-selective solvent on...Systematic comparison between computer simulation results and those predicted by Scheutjens-Fleer (SF) self-consistent-field theory is presented for the adsorption of diblock copolymers from a non-selective solvent on attractive surface. It is shown that although SF is a mean-field theory, it can qualitatively describe the adsorption phenomena of diblock copolymers. However, systematic discrepancy between the theory and simulation still exists. The approximations inherited in the mean-field theory such as random mixing inside a layer and the allowance of direct back folding may be responsible to those deviations.展开更多
The liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)widely exists in biology,synthetic chemistry,crystallization kinetics and other fields,and it is very important to realize the related functions.The research on the competition ...The liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)widely exists in biology,synthetic chemistry,crystallization kinetics and other fields,and it is very important to realize the related functions.The research on the competition between LLPS and micellization/vesiculation has made considerable progress.However,the way to effectively control the formation paths from homogeneous state to aggregates has not been completely solved,which is vital to determine its structure and properties and even its future functions.Here we describe the phenomenon of LLPS and its effect on the dynamic process of self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers(BCPs).Starting from the establishment of phase diagram,we explore the existence conditions of LLPS state,the internal morphology and external size of large droplets,and its significant implications to the dynamic path of vesicle formation.Vesicles formed via LLPS have larger sized outer dimensions and inner cavities,and contain more solvents during certain stages.The detailed research of LLPS and its self-assembly simulation has contributed to completing its theoretical basis and practical applications in the future in various fields.展开更多
Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the sel...Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the self-assembly of AB di-block copolymers(di-BCPs)confined in Janus spherical nanocavities using simulations,and explained the structure formation mechanisms.In the case of a strongly selective cavity wall,all the lamella-forming,gyroid-forming,and cylinder-forming di-BCPs can form interfacial frustration-induced Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles,whose outermost is a Janus spherical shell and the internal is a sphere with concentric perforated lamellar structure.In particular,Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles with holes distributed only near the equatorial plane were obtained in both lamella-forming and gyroid-forming di-BCPs,directly reflecting the effect of interfacial frustration.The minority-block domain of the cylider-forming di-BCPs may form hemispherical perforated lamellar structures with holes distributed in parallel layers with a specific orientation.For symmetric di-BCPs,both the A and B domains in each nanoparticle are continuous,interchangeable,and have rotational symmetry.While for gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs,only the majority-block domains are continuous in each nanoparticle,and holes in the minority-block domains usually have rotational symmetry.In the case of a weakly selective cavity wall,the inhomogeneity of the cavity wall results in structures having a specific orientation(such as flower-like and branched structures in gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs)and a perforated wetting layer with uniformly distributed holes.The novel nanoparticles obtained may have potential applications in nanotechnology as functional nanostructures or nanoparticles.展开更多
This review paper provides a comprehensive introduction to various numerical methods for the phase-field model used to simulate the phase separation dynamics of diblock copolymer melts.Diblock copolymer systems form c...This review paper provides a comprehensive introduction to various numerical methods for the phase-field model used to simulate the phase separation dynamics of diblock copolymer melts.Diblock copolymer systems form complex structures at the nanometer scale and play a significant role in various applications.The phase-field model,in particular,is essential for describing the formation and evolution of these structures and is widely used as a tool to effectively predict the movement of phase boundaries and the distribution of phases over time.In this paper,we discuss the principles and implementations of various numerical methodologies for this model and analyze the strengths,limitations,stability,accuracy,and computational efficiency of each method.Traditional approaches such as Fourier spectral methods,finite difference methods and alternating direction explicit methods are reviewed,as well as recent advancements such as the invariant energy quadratization method and the scalar auxiliary variable scheme are also presented.In addition,we introduce examples of the phase-field model,which are fingerprint image restoration and 3D printing.These examples demonstrate the extensive applicability of the reviewed methods and models.展开更多
The surface-induced effect on the morphologies of lamella-forming diblock copolymers in nanorod arrays is studied by using the self-consistent field theory. In the simulation study, a rich variety of novel morphologie...The surface-induced effect on the morphologies of lamella-forming diblock copolymers in nanorod arrays is studied by using the self-consistent field theory. In the simulation study, a rich variety of novel morphologies are observed by variations in the strength of the surface field for the diblock copolymers. Different surface-field-induced effects are examined for the diblock copolymers in the arrays with distinct preferential surfaces. It is observed that the majority-block preferential surfaces have more obvious induced effects than those of minority-block preferential surfaces. The strong surface fields exhibit different behaviours from those observed in the weak surface fields, by which the morphologies possess cylindrical symmetries. Results from this research deepen the knowledge of surface-induced effects in a confinement system, which may aid the fabrication of polymer-based na^omaterials.展开更多
The phase behaviors of symmetric diblock copolymer thin films confined between two hard, parallel and diversified patterned surfaces are investigated by three-dimensional dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulation...The phase behaviors of symmetric diblock copolymer thin films confined between two hard, parallel and diversified patterned surfaces are investigated by three-dimensional dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The induction of diversified patterned surfaces on phase separation of symmetric diblock copolymer films in snapshots, density profiles and concentration diagrams of the simulated systems are presented. The phase separations can be controlled by the patterned surfaces. In the meantime, the mean-square end-to-end distance of the confined polymer chains < R(2)> is also discussed. Surface-induced phase separation for diblock copolymers can help us to create novel and controlled nanostructured materials.展开更多
The topic of self-assembly of cylinder-forming diblock copolymers （DBCPs） under spherical shell confinement in different surface fields is explored using real-space self-consistent field theory calculations （SCFT）...The topic of self-assembly of cylinder-forming diblock copolymers （DBCPs） under spherical shell confinement in different surface fields is explored using real-space self-consistent field theory calculations （SCFT）. Using this approach we observed various microstructures of cylinder-forming DBCPs at different confinement dimensions and surface fields. From detailed searching for the microdomain morphologies, an obvious conclusion is that the interactions between the confinement surface and the polymers have a great effect on the self-assembly. Most of the microstructures are unique and not reported in bulk or under planar and cylindrical confinements.展开更多
Aiming at the difficult problem of solving the conformation statistics of complex polymers, this study presents a novel and concise conformation statistics theoretical approach based on Monte Carlo and Neural Network ...Aiming at the difficult problem of solving the conformation statistics of complex polymers, this study presents a novel and concise conformation statistics theoretical approach based on Monte Carlo and Neural Network method. This method offers a new research idea for investigating the conformation statistics of complex polymers, characterized by its simplicity and practicality. It can be applied to more complex topological structure, more higher degree of freedom polymer systems with higher dimensions, theory research on dynamic self-consistent field theory and polymer field theory, as well as the analysis of scattering experimental data. The conformation statistics of complex polymers determine the structure and response properties of the system. Using the new method proposed in this study, taking the semiflexible ring diblock copolymer as an example, Monte Carlo simulation is used to sample this ring conformation to construct the dataset of polymer. The structure factor describing conformation statistics are expressed as continuous functions of structure parameters by neural network supervised learning. This is the innovation of this work. As an application, the structure factors represented by neural networks were introduced into the random phase approximation theory to study the microphase separation of semiflexible ring diblock copolymers. The influence of the ring's topological properties on the phase transition behavior was pointed out.展开更多
Nanoparticles of biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyester amphiphilic diblock copolymers have widely investigated for use as controlled release drug delivery carriers. In this work, blend nanoparticles ...Nanoparticles of biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyester amphiphilic diblock copolymers have widely investigated for use as controlled release drug delivery carriers. In this work, blend nanoparticles of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PDLL) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (MPEG- b-PCL) were prepared by nano-precipitation method without any surfactants. 1H-NMR spectra showed significant difference in integral peak areas, suggesting the nanoparticles with different MPEG-b-PDLL/MPEG-b-PCL blend ratios can be prepared. Transmission electron microscope revealed the blend nanoparticles had nearly spherical in shape with smooth surface. Average size of the blend nanoparticles obtained from light-scattering analysis slightly decreased with increase in blend ratio of MPEG-b-PCL. The MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL were amorphous and semi-crystalline, respectively. Thermal transition properties of the blend nanoparticles were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC results showed that glass transition temperatures of the blend nanoparticles decreased and heats of melting steadily increased, while the melting temperature did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. This indicates the miscibility of MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL in the amorphous phase of the blend nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the blend nanoparticles clearly exhibited two thermal decomposition steps due to MPEG-b-PDLL decomposition followed with MPEG-b-PCL. The blend nanoparticles had two temperatures of maximum decomposition rate (Td, max) accorded to each blend component. The Td, max of MPEG-b- PDLL phase significantly decreased, while Td, max of MPEG-b-PCL phase did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. These results suggested that the desired thermal properties of blend nanoparticles can be tailored by varying the blend ratio.展开更多
Well-defined P4VP-b-PBLG diblock polymer composed of poly (4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) was synthesized by click reaction with alkyne- and azide-functionalized homopolymers. Besides,...Well-defined P4VP-b-PBLG diblock polymer composed of poly (4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) was synthesized by click reaction with alkyne- and azide-functionalized homopolymers. Besides, P4VP blocks were synthesized by copper-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with a chlorine-containing alkyne bifunctional initiator, and the azido-terminated PBLG homopolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate with an amine-containing azide initiator. In addition, the synthesized P4VP-b-PBLG with different block ratios has been characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) and fourier transform infrated spectroscopy (FT-IR). Then, the self-assembly behaviors of P4VP-b-PBLG have been studied by changing parameters like dripping speed and block ratio. The morphologies of self-assembly of spherical, disk-like and ellipsoid-like shape particles have been observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These results have provided guidelines for the design of macromolecular self-assembly.展开更多
Well - defined diblock copolymers Of styrene (St ) and ethylene oxide (EO )have been prepared by sequential living anionic polymerization of the twocomonomers in THF. Diphenyl methyl potassium has been used as initiat...Well - defined diblock copolymers Of styrene (St ) and ethylene oxide (EO )have been prepared by sequential living anionic polymerization of the twocomonomers in THF. Diphenyl methyl potassium has been used as initiator. Theblock copolymers were characterized in detail by methods Of size exclusion chromatography (SEC ) , 1H - Nab, FT - IR, dynamic mechanical analysis(Daal ) and WAXD.展开更多
Mean-square bond length, root-mean-square end-to-end distance and gyration radius in diblock copolymer films have been studied by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Results show evident linear trends of any pr...Mean-square bond length, root-mean-square end-to-end distance and gyration radius in diblock copolymer films have been studied by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Results show evident linear trends of any property separately with the thickness of film, the interaction between particles of different types, the repulsion between particle and boundary, except for the dependence of the variations of mean-square bond length on the thickness of film, which exhibits as a wave trend. What＇s more, the varying trends of mean-square bond length and root-mean-square end-to-end distance can correspond to each other. The density distribution of either component in diblock copolymer film can be controlled and adjusted effectively through its interaction with boundary.展开更多
The controlled free radical polymerization of styrene and isoprene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) at 125 'C were performed. The obtained poly...The controlled free radical polymerization of styrene and isoprene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) at 125 'C were performed. The obtained polyisoprene and polystyrene homopolymers served as macroinitiators for block copolymerization of isoprene and styrene to synthesize poly- (styrene-b-isoprene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene) diblock copolymers. Diblock copolymers with well-defined structures as well as controlled and narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained from the lower-mass polystyrene and polyisoprene homopolymers. These copolymers were found to be active as macroinitiators in the synthesis of the poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-isoprene) triblock copolymers. 1H-NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used for the investigation of polymer structure, molecular weight and polydispersity (PD).展开更多
The phase behaviours of diblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement are studied in two-dimensional space by using the self-consistent field theory. Several phase parameters are adjusted to investigate the cylindr...The phase behaviours of diblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement are studied in two-dimensional space by using the self-consistent field theory. Several phase parameters are adjusted to investigate the cylindrical-confinement-induced phase behaviours of diblock copolymers. A series of lamella-cylinder mixture phases, such as the mixture of broken-lamellae and cylinders and the mixture of square-lamellae and cylinders, are observed by varying the phase parameters, in which the behaviours of these mixture phases are discussed in the corresponding phase diagrams. Furthermore, the free energies of these mixture phases are investigated to illustrate their evolution processes. Our results are compared with the available observations from the experiments and simulations respectively, and they are in good agreement and provide an insight into the phase behaviours under cylindrical confinement.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 20974077, 51173130)Synchrotron experiments at Beam line A2 were supported by HASYLAB project (I-20110306, II20090111)
文摘The real time and in situ investigation of the crystallization process and structure transitions of asymmetric crystalline-crystalline diblock copolymers from the melt was performed with synchrotron simultaneous SAXS/WAXS. The asymmetric poly（ethylene oxide）-b-poly（ε-caprolactone） diblock copolymers were chosen for the present study. It was shown that the short blocks crystallized later than the long blocks and final lamellar structure was formed in all of the asymmetric diblock copolymers. The final lamellar structure was confirmed by AFM observation. The SAXS data were analyzed with different methods for the early stage of the crystallization. The Guinier plots indicated that there were no isolated domains formed before the formation of lamellae in the asymmetric diblock copolymers during the crystallization process. Debye- Bueche plots implied the formation of correlated domains during crystallization.
基金supported by Major Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 20836007)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.20806067).
文摘Polystyrene-styrene/butadiene diblock copolymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer （RAFT） miniemulsion polymerization.During the polymerization process,the molecular weight distribution was narrow and the numerical molecular weight of the copolymers increased with increasing conversion of monomers,which was close to the theoretical.FT-IR and ^1H NMR results indicated that the microstructure of the polymer was mainly 1,4-trans-butadiene with small amount of 1,2-units,and composition in the copolymers was obtained.
基金This project was supported by the Foundation of Peking University for Young Scientist and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘The synthesis of rod-coil diblock copolymers was achieved for the first time by TEMPO-mediated 'living' free radical polymerization of styrene and 2,5-bis [(4-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl] styrene(MPCS). The block architecture of the two diblock copolymers thus prepared, MPCS-b-St(5400/2400) and MPCS-b-St(10800/8700), was confirmed by GPC, DSC studies and the formation of multimolecular micelles. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11204215,51302187,20990234,20925414,21204040,and 91227121)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City,China(Grant Nos.12JCYBJC32500 and 14JCZDJC32100)+1 种基金the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University(PCSIRT)(Grant No.IRT1257)the 111 Project.A.C.Shi gratefully acknowledges the supports from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council(NSERC)of Canada
文摘The self-assembly of symmetric diblock copolymers confined in the channels of variously shaped cross sections （regu- lar triangles, squares, and ellipses） is investigated using a simulated annealing technique. In the bulk, the studied symmetric diblock copolymers form a lamellar structure with period LL. The geometry and surface property of the confining channels have a large effect on the self-assembled structures and the orientation of the lamellar structures. Stacked perpendicular lamellae with period LL are observed for neutral surfaces regardless of the channel shape and size, but each lamella is in the shape of the corresponding channel＇s cross section. In the case of triangle-shaped cross sections, stacked parallel lamel- lae are the majority morphologies for weakly selective surfaces, while morphologies including a triangular-prism-shaped B-cylinder and multiple tridentate lamellae are obtained for strongly selective surfaces. In the cases of square-shaped and ellipse-shaped cross sections, concentric lamellae are the signature morphology for strongly selective surfaces, whereas for weakly selective surfaces, stacked parallel lamellae, and several types of folding lamellae are obtained in the case of square-shaped cross sections, and stacked parallel lamellae are the majority morphologies in the case of ellipse-shaped cross sections when the length of the minor axis is commensurate with the bulk lamellar period. The mean-square end- to-end distance, the average contact number between different species and the surface concentration of the A-monomers are computed to elucidate the mechanisms of the formation of the different morphologies. It is found that the resulting morphology is a consequence of competition among the chain stretching, interfacial energy, and surface energy. Our results suggest that the self-assembled morphology and the orientation of lamellae can be manipulated by the shape, the size, and the surface property of the confining channels.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20673070)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province (Grant No. 2007011055)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of Shanxi Province (Grant No. 2011021008-1)the Soft Science Program of Shanxi Province (Grant No. 2011041015-01)
文摘The phase behaviors in a binary mixture of diblock copolymers confined between two parallel walls are investigated by using a cell dynamics simulation of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory.The morphological dependence of the wall-block interaction and the distance between walls（confinement degree） has been systematically studied,and the effect of repulsive interactions between different monomers is also discussed.It is interesting that multiple novel morphological transitions are observed by changing these factors,and various multilayered sandwich structures are formed in the mixture.Furthermore,the parametric dependence and physical reasons for the microdomain growth and orientational order transitions are discussed.From the simulation,we find that much richer morphologies can form in a binary mixture of diblock copolymers than those in a pure diblock copolymer.Our results provide an insight into the phase behaviors under parallel wall confinement and may provide guidance for experimentalists.This model system can also give a simple way to realize orientational order transition in soft materials through confinement.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21404050)the Research Foundation of Jiangsu University(No.14JDG059)+2 种基金Hao also thanks the supports from Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China(No.2019M651478)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20190866)Natural Science Foundation of the Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Provinee(No.18KJB150009).
文摘Stereocomplex crystallization in asymmetric diblock copolymers was studied using dynamic Monte Carlo simulations,and the key factor dominating the formation of stereocomplex crystallites(SCs)was uncovered.The asymmetric diblock copolymers with higher degree of asymmetry exhibit larger difference between volume fractions of beads of different blocks,and local miscibility between different kinds of beads is lower,leading to lower SC content.To minimize the interference from volume fraction of beads,the SC formation in blends of asymmetric diblock copolymers was also studied.For the cases where the volume fractions of beads of different blocks are the same,similar local miscibility between beads of different blocks and similar SC content was observed.These findings indicate that the volume fraction of beads of different blocks is a key factor controlling the SC formation in the asymmetric diblock copolymers.The SC content can be regulated by adjusting the difference between the contents of beads of different blocks in asymmetric diblock copolymers.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No. 20025618)the Doctoral Research Foundation by Ministry of Education of China (No.1999025103) and the Dawn Project of Education Committee of Shanghai.
文摘Systematic comparison between computer simulation results and those predicted by Scheutjens-Fleer (SF) self-consistent-field theory is presented for the adsorption of diblock copolymers from a non-selective solvent on attractive surface. It is shown that although SF is a mean-field theory, it can qualitatively describe the adsorption phenomena of diblock copolymers. However, systematic discrepancy between the theory and simulation still exists. The approximations inherited in the mean-field theory such as random mixing inside a layer and the allowance of direct back folding may be responsible to those deviations.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.21973041,21674047,21474051 and 21734005)the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University(PCSIRT)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
文摘The liquid-liquid phase separation(LLPS)widely exists in biology,synthetic chemistry,crystallization kinetics and other fields,and it is very important to realize the related functions.The research on the competition between LLPS and micellization/vesiculation has made considerable progress.However,the way to effectively control the formation paths from homogeneous state to aggregates has not been completely solved,which is vital to determine its structure and properties and even its future functions.Here we describe the phenomenon of LLPS and its effect on the dynamic process of self-assembly of amphiphilic diblock copolymers(BCPs).Starting from the establishment of phase diagram,we explore the existence conditions of LLPS state,the internal morphology and external size of large droplets,and its significant implications to the dynamic path of vesicle formation.Vesicles formed via LLPS have larger sized outer dimensions and inner cavities,and contain more solvents during certain stages.The detailed research of LLPS and its self-assembly simulation has contributed to completing its theoretical basis and practical applications in the future in various fields.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(Nos.22173051,21829301,21774066)College Discipline Innovation and Intelligence Introduction Program(111 Project(B16027)+1 种基金the International Cooperation Base(2016D01025)Tianjin International Joint Research and Development Center。
文摘Spatial confinement of block copolymers can induce frustrations,which can further be utilized to regulate self-assembled structures,thus providing an efficient route for fabricating novel structures.We studied the self-assembly of AB di-block copolymers(di-BCPs)confined in Janus spherical nanocavities using simulations,and explained the structure formation mechanisms.In the case of a strongly selective cavity wall,all the lamella-forming,gyroid-forming,and cylinder-forming di-BCPs can form interfacial frustration-induced Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles,whose outermost is a Janus spherical shell and the internal is a sphere with concentric perforated lamellar structure.In particular,Janus concentric perforated lamellar nanoparticles with holes distributed only near the equatorial plane were obtained in both lamella-forming and gyroid-forming di-BCPs,directly reflecting the effect of interfacial frustration.The minority-block domain of the cylider-forming di-BCPs may form hemispherical perforated lamellar structures with holes distributed in parallel layers with a specific orientation.For symmetric di-BCPs,both the A and B domains in each nanoparticle are continuous,interchangeable,and have rotational symmetry.While for gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs,only the majority-block domains are continuous in each nanoparticle,and holes in the minority-block domains usually have rotational symmetry.In the case of a weakly selective cavity wall,the inhomogeneity of the cavity wall results in structures having a specific orientation(such as flower-like and branched structures in gyroid-forming and cylinder-forming di-BCPs)and a perforated wetting layer with uniformly distributed holes.The novel nanoparticles obtained may have potential applications in nanotechnology as functional nanostructures or nanoparticles.
文摘This review paper provides a comprehensive introduction to various numerical methods for the phase-field model used to simulate the phase separation dynamics of diblock copolymer melts.Diblock copolymer systems form complex structures at the nanometer scale and play a significant role in various applications.The phase-field model,in particular,is essential for describing the formation and evolution of these structures and is widely used as a tool to effectively predict the movement of phase boundaries and the distribution of phases over time.In this paper,we discuss the principles and implementations of various numerical methodologies for this model and analyze the strengths,limitations,stability,accuracy,and computational efficiency of each method.Traditional approaches such as Fourier spectral methods,finite difference methods and alternating direction explicit methods are reviewed,as well as recent advancements such as the invariant energy quadratization method and the scalar auxiliary variable scheme are also presented.In addition,we introduce examples of the phase-field model,which are fingerprint image restoration and 3D printing.These examples demonstrate the extensive applicability of the reviewed methods and models.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.20374050,20934004,21074096,50773072,and 90403022)the Outstanding Youth Fund of China (Grant No.20525416)+3 种基金the National Basic Research Program of China(Grant No.2005CB623800)Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No.NCET-05-0538)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (Grant Nos.Y4090174 and Y6100033)the Science Technology Development Plan of Wenzhou City,China (Grant No.H20080041)
文摘The surface-induced effect on the morphologies of lamella-forming diblock copolymers in nanorod arrays is studied by using the self-consistent field theory. In the simulation study, a rich variety of novel morphologies are observed by variations in the strength of the surface field for the diblock copolymers. Different surface-field-induced effects are examined for the diblock copolymers in the arrays with distinct preferential surfaces. It is observed that the majority-block preferential surfaces have more obvious induced effects than those of minority-block preferential surfaces. The strong surface fields exhibit different behaviours from those observed in the weak surface fields, by which the morphologies possess cylindrical symmetries. Results from this research deepen the knowledge of surface-induced effects in a confinement system, which may aid the fabrication of polymer-based na^omaterials.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.20574052,20774066)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Universities(No.NCET-05-0538).
文摘The phase behaviors of symmetric diblock copolymer thin films confined between two hard, parallel and diversified patterned surfaces are investigated by three-dimensional dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. The induction of diversified patterned surfaces on phase separation of symmetric diblock copolymer films in snapshots, density profiles and concentration diagrams of the simulated systems are presented. The phase separations can be controlled by the patterned surfaces. In the meantime, the mean-square end-to-end distance of the confined polymer chains < R(2)> is also discussed. Surface-induced phase separation for diblock copolymers can help us to create novel and controlled nanostructured materials.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.20774066,20974081 and 20934004)the Ph.D.Programs Foundation of Ministry of Education of China(No.20090101110002)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(No.Y4080098)
文摘The topic of self-assembly of cylinder-forming diblock copolymers （DBCPs） under spherical shell confinement in different surface fields is explored using real-space self-consistent field theory calculations （SCFT）. Using this approach we observed various microstructures of cylinder-forming DBCPs at different confinement dimensions and surface fields. From detailed searching for the microdomain morphologies, an obvious conclusion is that the interactions between the confinement surface and the polymers have a great effect on the self-assembly. Most of the microstructures are unique and not reported in bulk or under planar and cylindrical confinements.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22173004)。
文摘Aiming at the difficult problem of solving the conformation statistics of complex polymers, this study presents a novel and concise conformation statistics theoretical approach based on Monte Carlo and Neural Network method. This method offers a new research idea for investigating the conformation statistics of complex polymers, characterized by its simplicity and practicality. It can be applied to more complex topological structure, more higher degree of freedom polymer systems with higher dimensions, theory research on dynamic self-consistent field theory and polymer field theory, as well as the analysis of scattering experimental data. The conformation statistics of complex polymers determine the structure and response properties of the system. Using the new method proposed in this study, taking the semiflexible ring diblock copolymer as an example, Monte Carlo simulation is used to sample this ring conformation to construct the dataset of polymer. The structure factor describing conformation statistics are expressed as continuous functions of structure parameters by neural network supervised learning. This is the innovation of this work. As an application, the structure factors represented by neural networks were introduced into the random phase approximation theory to study the microphase separation of semiflexible ring diblock copolymers. The influence of the ring's topological properties on the phase transition behavior was pointed out.
文摘Nanoparticles of biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyester amphiphilic diblock copolymers have widely investigated for use as controlled release drug delivery carriers. In this work, blend nanoparticles of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PDLL) and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (MPEG- b-PCL) were prepared by nano-precipitation method without any surfactants. 1H-NMR spectra showed significant difference in integral peak areas, suggesting the nanoparticles with different MPEG-b-PDLL/MPEG-b-PCL blend ratios can be prepared. Transmission electron microscope revealed the blend nanoparticles had nearly spherical in shape with smooth surface. Average size of the blend nanoparticles obtained from light-scattering analysis slightly decreased with increase in blend ratio of MPEG-b-PCL. The MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL were amorphous and semi-crystalline, respectively. Thermal transition properties of the blend nanoparticles were studied with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC results showed that glass transition temperatures of the blend nanoparticles decreased and heats of melting steadily increased, while the melting temperature did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. This indicates the miscibility of MPEG-b-PDLL and MPEG-b-PCL in the amorphous phase of the blend nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the blend nanoparticles clearly exhibited two thermal decomposition steps due to MPEG-b-PDLL decomposition followed with MPEG-b-PCL. The blend nanoparticles had two temperatures of maximum decomposition rate (Td, max) accorded to each blend component. The Td, max of MPEG-b- PDLL phase significantly decreased, while Td, max of MPEG-b-PCL phase did not change as the MPEG-b-PCL blend ratio increased. These results suggested that the desired thermal properties of blend nanoparticles can be tailored by varying the blend ratio.
文摘Well-defined P4VP-b-PBLG diblock polymer composed of poly (4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) and poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) was synthesized by click reaction with alkyne- and azide-functionalized homopolymers. Besides, P4VP blocks were synthesized by copper-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with a chlorine-containing alkyne bifunctional initiator, and the azido-terminated PBLG homopolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate with an amine-containing azide initiator. In addition, the synthesized P4VP-b-PBLG with different block ratios has been characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) and fourier transform infrated spectroscopy (FT-IR). Then, the self-assembly behaviors of P4VP-b-PBLG have been studied by changing parameters like dripping speed and block ratio. The morphologies of self-assembly of spherical, disk-like and ellipsoid-like shape particles have been observed and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These results have provided guidelines for the design of macromolecular self-assembly.
文摘Well - defined diblock copolymers Of styrene (St ) and ethylene oxide (EO )have been prepared by sequential living anionic polymerization of the twocomonomers in THF. Diphenyl methyl potassium has been used as initiator. Theblock copolymers were characterized in detail by methods Of size exclusion chromatography (SEC ) , 1H - Nab, FT - IR, dynamic mechanical analysis(Daal ) and WAXD.
文摘Mean-square bond length, root-mean-square end-to-end distance and gyration radius in diblock copolymer films have been studied by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. Results show evident linear trends of any property separately with the thickness of film, the interaction between particles of different types, the repulsion between particle and boundary, except for the dependence of the variations of mean-square bond length on the thickness of film, which exhibits as a wave trend. What＇s more, the varying trends of mean-square bond length and root-mean-square end-to-end distance can correspond to each other. The density distribution of either component in diblock copolymer film can be controlled and adjusted effectively through its interaction with boundary.
文摘The controlled free radical polymerization of styrene and isoprene initiated with benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) at 125 'C were performed. The obtained polyisoprene and polystyrene homopolymers served as macroinitiators for block copolymerization of isoprene and styrene to synthesize poly- (styrene-b-isoprene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene) diblock copolymers. Diblock copolymers with well-defined structures as well as controlled and narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained from the lower-mass polystyrene and polyisoprene homopolymers. These copolymers were found to be active as macroinitiators in the synthesis of the poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) and poly(isoprene-b-styrene-b-isoprene) triblock copolymers. 1H-NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) were used for the investigation of polymer structure, molecular weight and polydispersity (PD).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20574052 and 20774066)the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, China (Grant No. NCET-05-0538)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province, China (Grant Nos. R404047, Y4090174, and Y405553)
文摘The phase behaviours of diblock copolymers under cylindrical confinement are studied in two-dimensional space by using the self-consistent field theory. Several phase parameters are adjusted to investigate the cylindrical-confinement-induced phase behaviours of diblock copolymers. A series of lamella-cylinder mixture phases, such as the mixture of broken-lamellae and cylinders and the mixture of square-lamellae and cylinders, are observed by varying the phase parameters, in which the behaviours of these mixture phases are discussed in the corresponding phase diagrams. Furthermore, the free energies of these mixture phases are investigated to illustrate their evolution processes. Our results are compared with the available observations from the experiments and simulations respectively, and they are in good agreement and provide an insight into the phase behaviours under cylindrical confinement.
