Anion-dipole interactions make the homopolymers self-assemble into multiple nanostructures

Adv Mater. 2015 May 27;27(20):3202-7. doi: 10.1002/adma.201405579. Epub 2015 Apr 14.

Abstract

Anion-dipole interactions can make homopolymers self-assemble like an amphiphilic block copolymer. Generally, common homopolymers cannot self-assemble into multiple nanostructures. Here, it is reported that anion-dipole interactions can enable a number of homopolymers to achieve a variety of self-assembly behaviors in aqueous solution. Such interactions and self-assembly features have been exclusively reserved for amphiphilic (block) polymers until now.

Keywords: anion-dipole interactions; homopolymers; self-assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins / chemistry*
  • Anions*
  • Electrons
  • Hydrogen Bonding
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Methyl Ethers / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyls / chemistry*
  • Propylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Sulfates / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Thiocyanates / chemistry
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Anions
  • Methyl Ethers
  • Polymers
  • Polyvinyls
  • Propylene Glycols
  • Sulfates
  • Thiocyanates
  • poly(vinyl methyl ether)
  • Water
  • sodium sulfate
  • poly-N-isopropylacrylamide
  • polypropylene glycol
  • sodium thiocyanate
  • Oxygen