
doi: 10.1039/b403187c
pmid: 15658783
We discuss the development of hierarchical polymer particles, or variegated polymersome composites, in which at least two different components are phase separated within one polymersome chimaera. We briefly discuss the present status in experimental polymersome research, and then discuss a speculative design strategy, based on mesoscopic simulations with a dynamical variant of polymer self-consistent field theory (Mesodyn). The main conclusion is that the counter-intuitive co-assembly of demixing block copolymers is the key in controlling hierarchical structures on a mesoscopic scale. This is the classical paradox of a chimaera: the constituents live in the same scaffold, but apart. Block copolymers beyond a certain length will always split the assembly, and without further precautions, polymer based chimaerae are intrinsically unstable. To this end, we propose the application of a branched block copolymer as composite compatibilizer, glueing the separate domains together, and thereby stabilizing the chimaeric polymersome.
copolymer, process design, polymer, article, 600, particle size, simulation, theoretical study, 530, structure analysis, polymerization, chemical structure, phase separation, F162 - Polymer chemistry, molecular stability
copolymer, process design, polymer, article, 600, particle size, simulation, theoretical study, 530, structure analysis, polymerization, chemical structure, phase separation, F162 - Polymer chemistry, molecular stability
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