Some physical properties of the polyester-polyeher multiblock copolymers with Si-containing hard segment were further examined by a series of physical methods. Thehydrophobicity of the copolymers was improved with the...Some physical properties of the polyester-polyeher multiblock copolymers with Si-containing hard segment were further examined by a series of physical methods. Thehydrophobicity of the copolymers was improved with the incorporation of increasing amountof organosilicone, XPS test proved that silicon element was enriched at the surface of theSi-containing polyeser-polyether copolymers. It was also found that their heat resistanceand gas permeability for O_2 and N_2 were greatly improved. The study on semipermeabilityof films made of the Si-containing copolymers was also followed with interest.展开更多
Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubri...Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubricant additives,their macromolecular analogs have been rarely considered yet to develop environmentally friendly lubricant additives.In this work,a series of boron-containing copolymers have been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate and isopropenyl boronic acid pinacol ester with different feeding ratios(S_(n)-r-B_(m),n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5,9).The resulting copolymers of S_(n)-r-B_(m)(n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5)are readily dispersed in the PAO-10 base oil and form micelle-like aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 9.7 to 52 nm.SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating tribological tests on ball-on-flat steel pairs show that compared with the base oil of PAO-10,the friction coefficients and wear volumes of the base oil solutions of S_(n)-r-B_(m)decrease considerably up to 62%and 97%,respectively.Moreover,the base oil solution of S_(1)-r-B_(1)exhibits an excellent load-bearing capacity of(850±100)N.These superior lubricating properties are due to the formation of protective tribofilms comprising S_(n)-r-B_(m),boron oxide,and iron oxide compounds on the lubricated steel surface.Therefore,the boron-containing copolymers can be regarded as a novel class of environmentally friendly lubricating oil macroadditives for efficient friction and wear reduction without sulfur and phosphorus elements.展开更多
Amphiphilic asymmetric brush copolymers(AABCs)possess unique self-assembly behaviors owing to their asymmetric brush architecture and multiple functionalities of multicomponent side chains.However,the synthesis of AAB...Amphiphilic asymmetric brush copolymers(AABCs)possess unique self-assembly behaviors owing to their asymmetric brush architecture and multiple functionalities of multicomponent side chains.However,the synthesis of AABCs presents challenges,which greatly limits the exploration of their self-assembly behaviors.In this work,we employed dissipative particle dynamics(DPD)simulations to investigate the self-assembly behaviors of AABCs in selective solution.By varying the copolymer concentration and structure,we conducted the self-assembly phase diagrams of AABCs,revealing complex morphologies such as channelized micelles with one or more solvophilic channels.Moreover,the number,surface area,and one-dimensional density distribution of the channelized micelles were calculated to demonstrate the internal structure and morphological transformation during the self-assembly process.Our findings indicate that the morphology of the internal solvophilic channels is greatly influenced by the copolymer structure,concentration,and interaction parameters between the different side chains.The simulation results are consistent with available experimental observations,which can offer theoretical insights into the self-assembly of AABCs.展开更多
A significant challenge in developing block copolymer photonic crystals is constructing low-symmetric ordered phases,which are essential for achieving a complete photonic band gap.Here,we propose a promising strategy ...A significant challenge in developing block copolymer photonic crystals is constructing low-symmetric ordered phases,which are essential for achieving a complete photonic band gap.Here,we propose a promising strategy to create low-symmetric ordered morphologies by incorporating shape-anisotropic rod-like side chains into block copolymers.Using dissipative particle dynamics simulations,we demonstrate that block copolymers with longer rod-like side chains can self-assemble into a hexagonally packed columnar phase characterized by a low-symmetric rectangular cross-section.Photonic band structure calculations reveal that this low-symmetric columnar phase can exhibit a complete photonic band gap,with the gap size dependent on the aspect ratio of the rectangular cross-sections of the columns.Our findings suggest an effective approach to constructing low-symmetric photonic crystals through the self-assembly of block copolymers with shape-anisotropic segments.展开更多
The design of low-cost and high-performance cyclic olefin copolymers remains challenging.Ethylene copolymers with dicyclopentadiene(DCPD)were prepared using Ph_(2)C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.1),rac-Et(Ind)_(2)ZrCl_(2)(Cat....The design of low-cost and high-performance cyclic olefin copolymers remains challenging.Ethylene copolymers with dicyclopentadiene(DCPD)were prepared using Ph_(2)C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.1),rac-Et(Ind)_(2)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.2),Me_(2)C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.3)andMe_(2)Si(Ind)_(2)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.4)combined with[Ph_(3)C][B(C_(6)F_(5))_(4)]/iBu_(3)Al.Ni(acac)_(2)/iBu_(3)Al was then used to catalyze the hydrogenation of the intracyclic double bonds of ethylene/DCPD copolymers.The results showed that compared to C_(2) symmetric catalysts(Cat.2 and Cat.4),Cs symmetric catalysts(Cat.1 and Cat.3)facilitated the incorporation of copolymers with higher DCPD.1H-and ^(13)C-NMR spectra indicated that ethylene/DCPD copolymerization occurred via enhancement of the norbornene ring.Additionally,measurement of the reactivity ratios provided further confirmation that the copolymers had random sequence distributions.All these samples demonstrated transmittance values above 90%in the visible wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm.By changing the fraction of monomers,the glass transition temperature,refractive index,Young's modulus,and tensile strength of the copolymer increased as the incorporation of DCPD increased,whereas the Abbe number and elongation at break decreased.Compared with ethylene/norbornene and ethylene/tetracyclicdodecene copolymers,ethylene/DCPD copolymers,with excellent optical and mechanical properties,are promising materials.展开更多
The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast com...The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast combinatorial phase space defined by components,se-quences,and topologies,and is often computationally intractable due to its NP-hard nature.At the core of this challenge lies the need to evalu-ate complex correlations among structural variables,a classical problem in both statistical physics and combinatorial optimization.To address this,we adopt a mean-field approach that decouples direct variable-variable interactions into effective interactions between each variable and an auxiliary field.The simulated bifurcation(SB)algorithm is employed as a mean-field-based optimization framework.It constructs a Hamiltonian dynamical system by introducing generalized momentum fields,enabling efficient decoupling and dynamic evolution of strongly coupled struc-tural variables.Using the sequence optimization of a linear copolymer adsorbing on a solid surface as a case study,we demonstrate the applica-bility of the SB algorithm to high-dimensional,non-differentiable combinatorial optimization problems.Our results show that SB can efficiently discover polymer sequences with excellent adsorption performance within a reasonable computational time.Furthermore,it exhibits robust con-vergence and high parallel scalability across large design spaces.The approach developed in this work offers a new computational pathway for polymer structure optimization.It also lays a theoretical foundation for future extensions to topological design problems,such as optimizing the number and placement of side chains,as well as the co-optimization of sequence and topology.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
Cutting-edge research has primarily focused on flow synthesis of linear block copolymers,lacking the ability for manipulating chain architectures for more extensive applications.Herein,we develop a flow chemistry plat...Cutting-edge research has primarily focused on flow synthesis of linear block copolymers,lacking the ability for manipulating chain architectures for more extensive applications.Herein,we develop a flow chemistry platform for the continuous microflow synthesis of bottlebrush block copolymers(BBCPs)using a grafting-through method.This involves performing ring-opening metathesis polymerization(ROMP)of two different macromonomers within two microfluidic reactors connected in series.The microflow environment allows for complete monomer conversion within a few tens of seconds,benefiting from the superior mixing efficiency achieved in Z-shaped channels as indicated by both theoretical simulations and experimental results.Consequently,a library of well-defined BBCPs of up to 528 distinct samples can be produced within one day through automation of the continuous procedure,while keeping precise control on degree of polymerization(DP<4)and polydispersity indices(PDI<1.2).The synthetic method is generally applicable to different macromonomers with different compositions and contour lengths,yielding libraries of branched block copolymers with great diversity in physiochemical properties and chain architectures.This work presents a powerful platform for high-throughput production of branched copolymers,significantly lowering the costs of the materials for real applications.展开更多
A series of Si-containing polyester-polyether multiblock copolymers were synthesizedby transesterification and melt copolycondensation of organosilicon monomers [1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyl-1, 3-bis （p-carbomethoxyphenyl...A series of Si-containing polyester-polyether multiblock copolymers were synthesizedby transesterification and melt copolycondensation of organosilicon monomers [1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyl-1, 3-bis （p-carbomethoxyphenyl） disiloxane] （I ） or dimethyl bis （p-carbometh-oxyphenyl） silane] （II） and dimethyl terephthalate （DMT）, with 1, 4-butanediol, poly-tetramethylene glycol （PTMG） respectively. The organosilicon monomers were preparedby Grinard reaction, oxidation and esterification. The structures of the above monomers（I）, （II） and the copolymers were characterized by MS anal. and;H-NMR.展开更多
The composition and sequence distribution of monomeric units in polyester polyether multiblock copolymer were studied by pyrolysis? gas chromatography (PGC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PGC/M...The composition and sequence distribution of monomeric units in polyester polyether multiblock copolymer were studied by pyrolysis? gas chromatography (PGC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PGC/MS). PGC was applied to study the F t curve of the multiblock copolymer and PGC/MS was used to separate and identify the pyrolyzates. DTA experiment was used to study the decomposition temperature. The results show that the beginning point of elastomer’s decomposition was about 300?℃ and the decomposition temperature of most of the sample was 550?℃. Many pyrolyzates were produced because of the breaking of weak bonds in the sample. The possible microstructure was verified and the pyrolysis pathway of the copolymer was investigated.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
Organocatalysis has shown special potency for simplifying the construction of complex polymer structures.We are reporting here a one-pot synthetic pathway using amine as a selectivity-switching agent in the two-compon...Organocatalysis has shown special potency for simplifying the construction of complex polymer structures.We are reporting here a one-pot synthetic pathway using amine as a selectivity-switching agent in the two-component catalytic system consisting of triethylborane(Et_(3)B)and a phosphazene base.We first modelled the interactions of a variety of amines with Et_(3)B by density functional theory calculations.The results indicate that the aliphatic diamines comprising both primary and tertiary amino groups,capable of forming stable intramolecular hydrogen bonds,undergo the strongest complexation with Et_(3)B.Accordingly,experimental results demonstrate that the addition of such amines promptly actuates the in situ selectivity switch from Lewis pair-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization(ROP)of epoxide(propylene oxide,n-butylglycidyl ether,or glycidyl phenyl ether)to organobase-catalyzed ROP ofδ-valerolactone,allowing one-pot continuous synthesis of ether-ester type block copolymers.We thus exploited the noncovalent interaction between amine and Et_(3)B to refine the catalyst switch strategy by exempting it from loading of extra catalyst.展开更多
Salt-doped block copolymers have widespread applications in batteries,fuel cells,semiconductors,and various industries,where their properties crucially depend on phase separation behavior.Traditionally,investigations ...Salt-doped block copolymers have widespread applications in batteries,fuel cells,semiconductors,and various industries,where their properties crucially depend on phase separation behavior.Traditionally,investigations into salt-doped diblock copolymers have predominantly focused on microphase separation,overlooking the segregation between ionic and polymeric species.This study employs weak segregation theory to explore the interplay between phase separation dominated by the polymer-modulated mode and the salt-out-modulated mode,corresponding to microscopic and macroscopic phase separations,respectively.By comparing diblock copolymers doped with salts to those doped with neutral solvents,we elucidate the significant role of charged species in modulating phase behavior.The phase separation mode exhibits a transition between the polymer-modulated and salt-out-modulated modes at different wavenumbers.In systems doped with neutral solvents,this transition is stepwise,while in salt-ion-doped systems,it is continuous.With a sufficiently large Flory-Huggins parameter between ions and polymers,the salt-out-modulated mode becomes dominant,promoting macrophase separation.Due to the solvation effect of salt ions,salt-doped systems are more inclined to undergo microphase separation.Furthermore,we explore factors influencing the critical wavenumber of phase separation,including doping level and the Flory-Huggins parameters between two blocks and between ions and polymeric species.Our findings reveal that in a neutral solvent environment,these factors alter only the boundary between micro-and macro-phase separations,leaving the critical wavenumber unchanged in microphase separation cases.However,in a salt-doped environment,the critical wavenumber of microphase separation varies with these parameters.This provides valuable insights into the pivotal role of electrostatics in the phase separation of salt-doped block copolymers.展开更多
In unit cell simulations,identification of ordered phases in block copolymers(BCPs)is a tedious and time-consuming task,impeding the advancement of more streamlined and potentially automated research workflows.In this...In unit cell simulations,identification of ordered phases in block copolymers(BCPs)is a tedious and time-consuming task,impeding the advancement of more streamlined and potentially automated research workflows.In this study,we propose a scattering-based automated identification strategy(SAIS)for characterization and identification of ordered phases of BCPs based on their computed scattering patterns.Our approach leverages the scattering theory of perfect crystals to efficiently compute the scattering patterns of periodic morphologies in a unit cell.In the first stage of the SAIS,phases are identified by comparing reflection conditions at a sequence of Miller indices.To confirm or refine the identification results of the first stage,the second stage of the SAIS introduces a tailored residual between the test phase and each of the known candidate phases.Furthermore,our strategy incorporates a variance-like criterion to distinguish background species,enabling its extension to multi-species BCP systems.It has been demonstrated that our strategy achieves exceptional accuracy and robustness while requiring minimal computational resources.Additionally,the approach allows for real-time expansion and improvement to the candidate phase library,facilitating the development of automated research workflows for designing specific ordered structures and discovering new ordered phases in BCPs.展开更多
With the blooming development of electronic technology,the use of electron conductive gel or ionic conductive gel in preparing flexible electronic devices is drawing more and more attention.Deep eutectic solvents are ...With the blooming development of electronic technology,the use of electron conductive gel or ionic conductive gel in preparing flexible electronic devices is drawing more and more attention.Deep eutectic solvents are excellent substitutes for ionic liquids because of their good biocompatibility,low cost,and easy preparation,except for good conductivity.In this work,we synthesized a reactive quaternary ammonium monomer(3-acrylamidopropyl)octadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide with a hydrophobic chain of 18 carbons via the quaternization of 1-bromooctadecane and N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide at first,then we mixed quaternary ammonium with choline chloride,acrylic acid and glycerol to obtain a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent,and initialized polymerization in UV light of 365 nm to obtain the ionic conductive eutectogel based on polyacrylamide copolymer with long hydrophobic chain.The obtained eutectogel exibits good stretchability(1200%),Young's modulus(0.185 MPa),toughness(4.2 MJ/m^(3)),conductivity(0.315 S/m).The eutectogel also shows desireable moisture resistance with the maximum water absorption of 11.7 wt%after one week at 25℃ and 60% humidity,while the water absorption of eutectogel without hydrophobic long chains is 24.0 wt%.The introduction of long-chain hydrophobic groups not only improves the mechanical strength of the gels,but also significantly improves moisture resistance of the eutectogel.This work provides a simpler and more effective method for the preparation of ionic conductive eutectogels,which can further provide a reference for the applications of ionic conductive eutectogels in the field of flexible electronic devices.展开更多
We consider the inverse problem of finding guiding pattern shapes that result in desired self-assembly morphologies of block copolymer melts.Specifically,we model polymer selfassembly using the self-consistent field t...We consider the inverse problem of finding guiding pattern shapes that result in desired self-assembly morphologies of block copolymer melts.Specifically,we model polymer selfassembly using the self-consistent field theory and derive,in a non-parametric setting,the sensitivity of the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies to arbitrary perturbations in the guiding pattern shape.The sensitivity is then used for the optimization of the confining pattern shapes such that the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies is minimized.The efficiency and robustness of the proposed gradient-based algorithm are demonstrated in a number of examples related to templating vertical interconnect accesses(VIA).展开更多
Temperature-responsive polymers have garnered significant attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli.In this work,dual temperature-responsive block copolymers are synthesized via reversible addition...Temperature-responsive polymers have garnered significant attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli.In this work,dual temperature-responsive block copolymers are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization(RAFT)polymerization utilizing zwitterionic monomer methacryloyl ethyl sulfobetaine(SBMA) and N-isopropyl acrylamide(NIPAAm) as monomers.The thermal responsive behaviors can be easily modulated by incorporating additional hydrophobic monomer benzyl acrylate(BN) or hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid(AA),adjusting concentration or pH,or varying the degree of polymerization of the block chain segments.The cloud points of the copolymers are determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry,and these copolymers exhibit both controlled upper and lower critical solu bility temperatures(LCST and UCST) in aqueous solution.This study analyzes and summarizes the influencing factors of dual temperature responsive block copolymers by exploring the effects of various conditions on the phase transition temperature of temperature-sensitive polymers to explore the relationship between their properties and environment and structure to make them more selective in terms of temperature application range and regulation laws.It is very interesting that the introduction of poly-acrylic acid(PAA) segments in the middle of di-block copolymer PSBMA_(55)-b-PNIPAAm_(80) to form PSBMA_(55)-b-PAA_(x)-b-PNIPAAm_(80) results in a reversal of temperature-responsive behaviors from 'U'(LCST UCST) type,while the copolymer PSBMA_(55)-b-P(NIPAAm_(80)-co-AA_(x)) not.This work provides a clue for tuning the phase transition behavior of polymers for manufacture of extreme smart materials.展开更多
Polymer science encompasses a different range of materials critical to industries spanning from packaging to biomedicine. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and applications of common homopolymers and copo...Polymer science encompasses a different range of materials critical to industries spanning from packaging to biomedicine. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and applications of common homopolymers and copolymers is fundamental to advancing polymer research and development. In this comprehensive review, we explore various preparation methods, including free radical, anionic, and cationic polymerization, utilized for synthesizing homopolymers and copolymers. Furthermore, we investigate solvent choices commonly employed for polymer characterization, ranging from neat conditions, polar protic and polar aprotic solvents. We also explored characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In addition to industrial applications, we highlight the diverse biological applications of homopolymers, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and polystyrene, which find its extensive use in biomedicine. By synthesizing and analyzing this wealth of information, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, characterization, and applications of homopolymers and copolymers, with a particular focus on their biological applications. This holistic approach not only contributes to advancements in polymer science and technology but also fosters innovation in biomedicine, ultimately benefiting human health and well-being.展开更多
High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode material...High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode materials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.However,the traditional fluoropolymer binder,poly(vinylidene difluoride)(PVDF),can potentially leach components or break down into poly(fluoroalkyl substances)(PFAS)chemicals,thereby contributing to PFAS contamination.A novel fluorine-free polymer,polysulfone-polyamide-polyimide(SPIO),was designed and synthesized as a binder for NCM811 cathodes.The SPIO binder exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and superior electrochemical characteristics.The cathode film fabricated with SPIO demonstrated a remarkable delamination force of 8 N(390 N·m^(-1)),indicating robust adhesion.The Li‖NCM811 cell incorporating the SPIO binder retained 80%of its initial capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.2 C.In comparison,the control cells assem bled with the PVDF binder retained only 52%of their capacities under the same cycling conditions.Furthermore,the SPIO binder exhibited improved compatibility with the electrolyte.Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cathode films after 100 cycles revealed the formation of a unifo rm,dense,and continuous chemical-electrochemical interface(CEI)by the SPIO binder on the surface of the NCM811 particles,which significantly contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance.These results highlight the potential of SPIO as an advanced binder material for high-perfo rmance lithium-ion batteries.展开更多
The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block ...The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block copolymers, one can accurately predict their self-assembly behaviors, thus providing guidance for the fabrication of various novel structures. However, SCFT is highly sensitive to initial conditions because it finds the free energy minima through an iterative process. Consequently, constructing phase diagrams using SCFT typically requires predefined candidate structures based on the experience of researchers. Such experience-dependent strategies often miss some structures and thus result in inaccurate phase diagrams. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have demonstrated significant potential across diverse fields of science and technology. By leveraging AI methods, it is possible to reduce reliance on human experience, thereby constructing more robust and reliable phase diagrams. In this work, we demonstrate how to combine AI with SCFT to automatically search for self-assembled structures of block copolymers and construct phase diagrams. Our aim is to realize automatic construction of block copolymer phase diagrams while minimizing reliance on human prior knowledge.展开更多
文摘Some physical properties of the polyester-polyeher multiblock copolymers with Si-containing hard segment were further examined by a series of physical methods. Thehydrophobicity of the copolymers was improved with the incorporation of increasing amountof organosilicone, XPS test proved that silicon element was enriched at the surface of theSi-containing polyeser-polyether copolymers. It was also found that their heat resistanceand gas permeability for O_2 and N_2 were greatly improved. The study on semipermeabilityof films made of the Si-containing copolymers was also followed with interest.
文摘Increasing environmental concerns about limiting harmful emissions has necessitated sulfur-and phosphorus-free green lubricant additives.Although boron-containing compounds have been widely investigated as green lubricant additives,their macromolecular analogs have been rarely considered yet to develop environmentally friendly lubricant additives.In this work,a series of boron-containing copolymers have been synthesized by free-radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate and isopropenyl boronic acid pinacol ester with different feeding ratios(S_(n)-r-B_(m),n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5,9).The resulting copolymers of S_(n)-r-B_(m)(n=1,m=1/3,1,2,3,5)are readily dispersed in the PAO-10 base oil and form micelle-like aggregates with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 9.7 to 52 nm.SRV-IV oscillating reciprocating tribological tests on ball-on-flat steel pairs show that compared with the base oil of PAO-10,the friction coefficients and wear volumes of the base oil solutions of S_(n)-r-B_(m)decrease considerably up to 62%and 97%,respectively.Moreover,the base oil solution of S_(1)-r-B_(1)exhibits an excellent load-bearing capacity of(850±100)N.These superior lubricating properties are due to the formation of protective tribofilms comprising S_(n)-r-B_(m),boron oxide,and iron oxide compounds on the lubricated steel surface.Therefore,the boron-containing copolymers can be regarded as a novel class of environmentally friendly lubricating oil macroadditives for efficient friction and wear reduction without sulfur and phosphorus elements.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars(No.52325308)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52273008 and 52073092)+1 种基金Shanghai Scientific and Technological Innovation Projects(No.22ZR1479300)Shanghai Rising-Star Program(No.23QA1402500).
文摘Amphiphilic asymmetric brush copolymers(AABCs)possess unique self-assembly behaviors owing to their asymmetric brush architecture and multiple functionalities of multicomponent side chains.However,the synthesis of AABCs presents challenges,which greatly limits the exploration of their self-assembly behaviors.In this work,we employed dissipative particle dynamics(DPD)simulations to investigate the self-assembly behaviors of AABCs in selective solution.By varying the copolymer concentration and structure,we conducted the self-assembly phase diagrams of AABCs,revealing complex morphologies such as channelized micelles with one or more solvophilic channels.Moreover,the number,surface area,and one-dimensional density distribution of the channelized micelles were calculated to demonstrate the internal structure and morphological transformation during the self-assembly process.Our findings indicate that the morphology of the internal solvophilic channels is greatly influenced by the copolymer structure,concentration,and interaction parameters between the different side chains.The simulation results are consistent with available experimental observations,which can offer theoretical insights into the self-assembly of AABCs.
基金financially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFB3707300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22133002,22373089)the support from the Excellent Youth Foundation of Henan Scientific Committee(No.242300421032).
文摘A significant challenge in developing block copolymer photonic crystals is constructing low-symmetric ordered phases,which are essential for achieving a complete photonic band gap.Here,we propose a promising strategy to create low-symmetric ordered morphologies by incorporating shape-anisotropic rod-like side chains into block copolymers.Using dissipative particle dynamics simulations,we demonstrate that block copolymers with longer rod-like side chains can self-assemble into a hexagonally packed columnar phase characterized by a low-symmetric rectangular cross-section.Photonic band structure calculations reveal that this low-symmetric columnar phase can exhibit a complete photonic band gap,with the gap size dependent on the aspect ratio of the rectangular cross-sections of the columns.Our findings suggest an effective approach to constructing low-symmetric photonic crystals through the self-assembly of block copolymers with shape-anisotropic segments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52130307 and 5240031453).
文摘The design of low-cost and high-performance cyclic olefin copolymers remains challenging.Ethylene copolymers with dicyclopentadiene(DCPD)were prepared using Ph_(2)C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.1),rac-Et(Ind)_(2)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.2),Me_(2)C(Cp)(Flu)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.3)andMe_(2)Si(Ind)_(2)ZrCl_(2)(Cat.4)combined with[Ph_(3)C][B(C_(6)F_(5))_(4)]/iBu_(3)Al.Ni(acac)_(2)/iBu_(3)Al was then used to catalyze the hydrogenation of the intracyclic double bonds of ethylene/DCPD copolymers.The results showed that compared to C_(2) symmetric catalysts(Cat.2 and Cat.4),Cs symmetric catalysts(Cat.1 and Cat.3)facilitated the incorporation of copolymers with higher DCPD.1H-and ^(13)C-NMR spectra indicated that ethylene/DCPD copolymerization occurred via enhancement of the norbornene ring.Additionally,measurement of the reactivity ratios provided further confirmation that the copolymers had random sequence distributions.All these samples demonstrated transmittance values above 90%in the visible wavelength range from 400 nm to 800 nm.By changing the fraction of monomers,the glass transition temperature,refractive index,Young's modulus,and tensile strength of the copolymer increased as the incorporation of DCPD increased,whereas the Abbe number and elongation at break decreased.Compared with ethylene/norbornene and ethylene/tetracyclicdodecene copolymers,ethylene/DCPD copolymers,with excellent optical and mechanical properties,are promising materials.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.2024JBZX029)Shijiazhuang High Level Science and Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talent Project(No.08202307)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)(No.22173004).
文摘The optimization of polymer structures aims to determine an optimal sequence or topology that achieves a given target property or structural performance.This inverse design problem involves searching within a vast combinatorial phase space defined by components,se-quences,and topologies,and is often computationally intractable due to its NP-hard nature.At the core of this challenge lies the need to evalu-ate complex correlations among structural variables,a classical problem in both statistical physics and combinatorial optimization.To address this,we adopt a mean-field approach that decouples direct variable-variable interactions into effective interactions between each variable and an auxiliary field.The simulated bifurcation(SB)algorithm is employed as a mean-field-based optimization framework.It constructs a Hamiltonian dynamical system by introducing generalized momentum fields,enabling efficient decoupling and dynamic evolution of strongly coupled struc-tural variables.Using the sequence optimization of a linear copolymer adsorbing on a solid surface as a case study,we demonstrate the applica-bility of the SB algorithm to high-dimensional,non-differentiable combinatorial optimization problems.Our results show that SB can efficiently discover polymer sequences with excellent adsorption performance within a reasonable computational time.Furthermore,it exhibits robust con-vergence and high parallel scalability across large design spaces.The approach developed in this work offers a new computational pathway for polymer structure optimization.It also lays a theoretical foundation for future extensions to topological design problems,such as optimizing the number and placement of side chains,as well as the co-optimization of sequence and topology.
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.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22071176)。
文摘Cutting-edge research has primarily focused on flow synthesis of linear block copolymers,lacking the ability for manipulating chain architectures for more extensive applications.Herein,we develop a flow chemistry platform for the continuous microflow synthesis of bottlebrush block copolymers(BBCPs)using a grafting-through method.This involves performing ring-opening metathesis polymerization(ROMP)of two different macromonomers within two microfluidic reactors connected in series.The microflow environment allows for complete monomer conversion within a few tens of seconds,benefiting from the superior mixing efficiency achieved in Z-shaped channels as indicated by both theoretical simulations and experimental results.Consequently,a library of well-defined BBCPs of up to 528 distinct samples can be produced within one day through automation of the continuous procedure,while keeping precise control on degree of polymerization(DP<4)and polydispersity indices(PDI<1.2).The synthetic method is generally applicable to different macromonomers with different compositions and contour lengths,yielding libraries of branched block copolymers with great diversity in physiochemical properties and chain architectures.This work presents a powerful platform for high-throughput production of branched copolymers,significantly lowering the costs of the materials for real applications.
文摘A series of Si-containing polyester-polyether multiblock copolymers were synthesizedby transesterification and melt copolycondensation of organosilicon monomers [1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyl-1, 3-bis （p-carbomethoxyphenyl） disiloxane] （I ） or dimethyl bis （p-carbometh-oxyphenyl） silane] （II） and dimethyl terephthalate （DMT）, with 1, 4-butanediol, poly-tetramethylene glycol （PTMG） respectively. The organosilicon monomers were preparedby Grinard reaction, oxidation and esterification. The structures of the above monomers（I）, （II） and the copolymers were characterized by MS anal. and;H-NMR.
文摘The composition and sequence distribution of monomeric units in polyester polyether multiblock copolymer were studied by pyrolysis? gas chromatography (PGC) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PGC/MS). PGC was applied to study the F t curve of the multiblock copolymer and PGC/MS was used to separate and identify the pyrolyzates. DTA experiment was used to study the decomposition temperature. The results show that the beginning point of elastomer’s decomposition was about 300?℃ and the decomposition temperature of most of the sample was 550?℃. Many pyrolyzates were produced because of the breaking of weak bonds in the sample. The possible microstructure was verified and the pyrolysis pathway of the copolymer was investigated.
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.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52022031 and 21734004).
文摘Organocatalysis has shown special potency for simplifying the construction of complex polymer structures.We are reporting here a one-pot synthetic pathway using amine as a selectivity-switching agent in the two-component catalytic system consisting of triethylborane(Et_(3)B)and a phosphazene base.We first modelled the interactions of a variety of amines with Et_(3)B by density functional theory calculations.The results indicate that the aliphatic diamines comprising both primary and tertiary amino groups,capable of forming stable intramolecular hydrogen bonds,undergo the strongest complexation with Et_(3)B.Accordingly,experimental results demonstrate that the addition of such amines promptly actuates the in situ selectivity switch from Lewis pair-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization(ROP)of epoxide(propylene oxide,n-butylglycidyl ether,or glycidyl phenyl ether)to organobase-catalyzed ROP ofδ-valerolactone,allowing one-pot continuous synthesis of ether-ester type block copolymers.We thus exploited the noncovalent interaction between amine and Et_(3)B to refine the catalyst switch strategy by exempting it from loading of extra catalyst.
基金supported by the Major Research Plan of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.92372104)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(No.2022A1515110016)the Recruitment Program of Guangdong(No.2016ZT06C322),and TCL Science and Technology Innovation Fund.
文摘Salt-doped block copolymers have widespread applications in batteries,fuel cells,semiconductors,and various industries,where their properties crucially depend on phase separation behavior.Traditionally,investigations into salt-doped diblock copolymers have predominantly focused on microphase separation,overlooking the segregation between ionic and polymeric species.This study employs weak segregation theory to explore the interplay between phase separation dominated by the polymer-modulated mode and the salt-out-modulated mode,corresponding to microscopic and macroscopic phase separations,respectively.By comparing diblock copolymers doped with salts to those doped with neutral solvents,we elucidate the significant role of charged species in modulating phase behavior.The phase separation mode exhibits a transition between the polymer-modulated and salt-out-modulated modes at different wavenumbers.In systems doped with neutral solvents,this transition is stepwise,while in salt-ion-doped systems,it is continuous.With a sufficiently large Flory-Huggins parameter between ions and polymers,the salt-out-modulated mode becomes dominant,promoting macrophase separation.Due to the solvation effect of salt ions,salt-doped systems are more inclined to undergo microphase separation.Furthermore,we explore factors influencing the critical wavenumber of phase separation,including doping level and the Flory-Huggins parameters between two blocks and between ions and polymeric species.Our findings reveal that in a neutral solvent environment,these factors alter only the boundary between micro-and macro-phase separations,leaving the critical wavenumber unchanged in microphase separation cases.However,in a salt-doped environment,the critical wavenumber of microphase separation varies with these parameters.This provides valuable insights into the pivotal role of electrostatics in the phase separation of salt-doped block copolymers.
基金This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants No.21873021).
文摘In unit cell simulations,identification of ordered phases in block copolymers(BCPs)is a tedious and time-consuming task,impeding the advancement of more streamlined and potentially automated research workflows.In this study,we propose a scattering-based automated identification strategy(SAIS)for characterization and identification of ordered phases of BCPs based on their computed scattering patterns.Our approach leverages the scattering theory of perfect crystals to efficiently compute the scattering patterns of periodic morphologies in a unit cell.In the first stage of the SAIS,phases are identified by comparing reflection conditions at a sequence of Miller indices.To confirm or refine the identification results of the first stage,the second stage of the SAIS introduces a tailored residual between the test phase and each of the known candidate phases.Furthermore,our strategy incorporates a variance-like criterion to distinguish background species,enabling its extension to multi-species BCP systems.It has been demonstrated that our strategy achieves exceptional accuracy and robustness while requiring minimal computational resources.Additionally,the approach allows for real-time expansion and improvement to the candidate phase library,facilitating the development of automated research workflows for designing specific ordered structures and discovering new ordered phases in BCPs.
基金This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(No.2016ZX05016 and No.2016ZX05046).
文摘With the blooming development of electronic technology,the use of electron conductive gel or ionic conductive gel in preparing flexible electronic devices is drawing more and more attention.Deep eutectic solvents are excellent substitutes for ionic liquids because of their good biocompatibility,low cost,and easy preparation,except for good conductivity.In this work,we synthesized a reactive quaternary ammonium monomer(3-acrylamidopropyl)octadecyldimethyl ammonium bromide with a hydrophobic chain of 18 carbons via the quaternization of 1-bromooctadecane and N-dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide at first,then we mixed quaternary ammonium with choline chloride,acrylic acid and glycerol to obtain a hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent,and initialized polymerization in UV light of 365 nm to obtain the ionic conductive eutectogel based on polyacrylamide copolymer with long hydrophobic chain.The obtained eutectogel exibits good stretchability(1200%),Young's modulus(0.185 MPa),toughness(4.2 MJ/m^(3)),conductivity(0.315 S/m).The eutectogel also shows desireable moisture resistance with the maximum water absorption of 11.7 wt%after one week at 25℃ and 60% humidity,while the water absorption of eutectogel without hydrophobic long chains is 24.0 wt%.The introduction of long-chain hydrophobic groups not only improves the mechanical strength of the gels,but also significantly improves moisture resistance of the eutectogel.This work provides a simpler and more effective method for the preparation of ionic conductive eutectogels,which can further provide a reference for the applications of ionic conductive eutectogels in the field of flexible electronic devices.
文摘We consider the inverse problem of finding guiding pattern shapes that result in desired self-assembly morphologies of block copolymer melts.Specifically,we model polymer selfassembly using the self-consistent field theory and derive,in a non-parametric setting,the sensitivity of the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies to arbitrary perturbations in the guiding pattern shape.The sensitivity is then used for the optimization of the confining pattern shapes such that the dissimilarity between the desired and the actual morphologies is minimized.The efficiency and robustness of the proposed gradient-based algorithm are demonstrated in a number of examples related to templating vertical interconnect accesses(VIA).
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 22271207)the Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD)。
文摘Temperature-responsive polymers have garnered significant attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli.In this work,dual temperature-responsive block copolymers are synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization(RAFT)polymerization utilizing zwitterionic monomer methacryloyl ethyl sulfobetaine(SBMA) and N-isopropyl acrylamide(NIPAAm) as monomers.The thermal responsive behaviors can be easily modulated by incorporating additional hydrophobic monomer benzyl acrylate(BN) or hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid(AA),adjusting concentration or pH,or varying the degree of polymerization of the block chain segments.The cloud points of the copolymers are determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry,and these copolymers exhibit both controlled upper and lower critical solu bility temperatures(LCST and UCST) in aqueous solution.This study analyzes and summarizes the influencing factors of dual temperature responsive block copolymers by exploring the effects of various conditions on the phase transition temperature of temperature-sensitive polymers to explore the relationship between their properties and environment and structure to make them more selective in terms of temperature application range and regulation laws.It is very interesting that the introduction of poly-acrylic acid(PAA) segments in the middle of di-block copolymer PSBMA_(55)-b-PNIPAAm_(80) to form PSBMA_(55)-b-PAA_(x)-b-PNIPAAm_(80) results in a reversal of temperature-responsive behaviors from 'U'(LCST UCST) type,while the copolymer PSBMA_(55)-b-P(NIPAAm_(80)-co-AA_(x)) not.This work provides a clue for tuning the phase transition behavior of polymers for manufacture of extreme smart materials.
文摘Polymer science encompasses a different range of materials critical to industries spanning from packaging to biomedicine. Understanding the synthesis, characterization, and applications of common homopolymers and copolymers is fundamental to advancing polymer research and development. In this comprehensive review, we explore various preparation methods, including free radical, anionic, and cationic polymerization, utilized for synthesizing homopolymers and copolymers. Furthermore, we investigate solvent choices commonly employed for polymer characterization, ranging from neat conditions, polar protic and polar aprotic solvents. We also explored characterization techniques, including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). In addition to industrial applications, we highlight the diverse biological applications of homopolymers, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) and polystyrene, which find its extensive use in biomedicine. By synthesizing and analyzing this wealth of information, this review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, characterization, and applications of homopolymers and copolymers, with a particular focus on their biological applications. This holistic approach not only contributes to advancements in polymer science and technology but also fosters innovation in biomedicine, ultimately benefiting human health and well-being.
基金supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(No.JCYJ20220818100407016)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22275059)+1 种基金Guangdong Special Support Program(No.2021TX06L775)high-level special funds(No.G03050K002)。
文摘High-voltage LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811)cathodes are critical for enhancing the energy density of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs).The development of binders compatible with high-voltage NCM811 cathode materials is crucial to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs.However,the traditional fluoropolymer binder,poly(vinylidene difluoride)(PVDF),can potentially leach components or break down into poly(fluoroalkyl substances)(PFAS)chemicals,thereby contributing to PFAS contamination.A novel fluorine-free polymer,polysulfone-polyamide-polyimide(SPIO),was designed and synthesized as a binder for NCM811 cathodes.The SPIO binder exhibits exceptional mechanical properties and superior electrochemical characteristics.The cathode film fabricated with SPIO demonstrated a remarkable delamination force of 8 N(390 N·m^(-1)),indicating robust adhesion.The Li‖NCM811 cell incorporating the SPIO binder retained 80%of its initial capacity after 300 cycles at a current density of 0.2 C.In comparison,the control cells assem bled with the PVDF binder retained only 52%of their capacities under the same cycling conditions.Furthermore,the SPIO binder exhibited improved compatibility with the electrolyte.Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the cathode films after 100 cycles revealed the formation of a unifo rm,dense,and continuous chemical-electrochemical interface(CEI)by the SPIO binder on the surface of the NCM811 particles,which significantly contributed to the enhancement of the electrochemical performance.These results highlight the potential of SPIO as an advanced binder material for high-perfo rmance lithium-ion batteries.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52394272,22333002,22203018,22303017).
文摘The self-assembly of block copolymers serves as an effective approach for fabricating various periodic ordered nanostructures. By employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT) to calculate the phase diagrams of block copolymers, one can accurately predict their self-assembly behaviors, thus providing guidance for the fabrication of various novel structures. However, SCFT is highly sensitive to initial conditions because it finds the free energy minima through an iterative process. Consequently, constructing phase diagrams using SCFT typically requires predefined candidate structures based on the experience of researchers. Such experience-dependent strategies often miss some structures and thus result in inaccurate phase diagrams. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have demonstrated significant potential across diverse fields of science and technology. By leveraging AI methods, it is possible to reduce reliance on human experience, thereby constructing more robust and reliable phase diagrams. In this work, we demonstrate how to combine AI with SCFT to automatically search for self-assembled structures of block copolymers and construct phase diagrams. Our aim is to realize automatic construction of block copolymer phase diagrams while minimizing reliance on human prior knowledge.
