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Persistent URL http://purl.org/net/epubs/work/55680
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Record Id 55680
Title Block copolymer nanocontainers
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Abstract Using cell dynamics computer simulation, we perform a systematic study of thin block copolymer films around a nanoparticle. Lamellar-, cylinder-, and sphere-forming block copolymers are investigated with respect to different film thicknesses, particle radii, and boundary conditions at the film interfaces. The obtained structures include standing lamellae and cylinders, "onions", cylinder "knitting balls", "golf ball", layered spherical, "virus"-like and mixed morphologies with T-junctions and U-type defects. The kinetics of the structure formation and difference with planar thin films are discussed. Our simulations suggest that novel porous nanocontainers can be formed by the coating of a sacrificial nanobead by a block copolymer layer with a well-controlled nanostructure. In addition, first scanning force microscopy experiments on a model system reveal surface structures similar to those predicted by our simulations.
Organisation CSE , CSE-HEC , STFC
Keywords Materials , nanocapsule , block copolymer , computer simulation , spherical particle
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Language English (EN)
Type Details URI(s) Local file(s) Year
Journal Article ACS Nano 4, no. 5 (2010): 2845-2855. doi:10.1021/nn901853e 2010