Free-Standing Nanomaterials from Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

This work presents the preparation of nanomaterials thanks to the assembly of a triblock copolymer P(Sty319-co-AN262)-b-PEO795-b-P(Sty319-co-AN262). The 3D construction is directed by the assembly of block copolymer micelles prepared in situ during the spin-coating of the block copolymer solution. With a solvent system DMF/toluene 50/50, spherical micelles are formed and assembled into a nanoparticle film. The micelle size in the dry state is 50 nm. With a solvent system DMF/toluene 25/75, worm-like micelles (50 nm in diameter) are formed in situ together with ?Y-cylinders? and lead to what we called ?spider web? films. Micelles are strongly interacting through a dynamic association process between ?bridge? and ?loop? conformations of the ABA triblock copolymer. When micelles come into contact, some bridges are formed with the two A blocks localized in the heart of two different micelles. The resulting materials show good mechanical properties and enable the preparation of self-standing polymer films