From Striped Ellipsoids to Janus Nanoparticles: Controlling Colloid Shape, Morphology and Function via Phase Separation of Functional Polymers

LUCILA NAVARRO; DANIEL KLINGER

Simposio; 16th Zsigmondy Colloquium "Soft Colloids"; 2020

Theability of nature to control shape and functionality of nanoparticles inbiological systems is a well of inspiration for chemists and materialsscientists. However, the synthetic formation of bio-inspired polymericnanoparticles remains challenging: it requires combining shape anisotropy,stimuli responsiveness, spatially control over internal chemistry, andnano-structured morphology in a single colloidal system. We have previouslyaddressed this challenge by developing shape-changing nano-ellipsoids withaxially stacked lamellae. In this approach, we controlled the phase separationof PS-b-P2VP block copolymers (BCPs)in the nanoparticle confinement via functional surfactants. This strategyrepresents a new platform for the development of a broad range of syntheticnanoparticles with novel properties.[1]Herein,we extend this preparation method to introduce a variety of functionalities inshape anisotropic particles. On one hand, we use BCPs with inherentfunctionalities such as poly(ferrocenylsilane) blocks to introduceredox-sensitive moieties in nano-ellipsoids. On the other hand, we use blendsof functionalized homopolymers and BCPs to precisely tune the final ellipsoid?sproperties. Firstly, the domain spacing can be adjusted via homopolymer addition.Secondly, the addition of functionalized homopolymers allows for the spatially-controlledincorporation of chemical functionalities, in the respective domains.[3] Thismodular approach can be extended to PS/P2VP Janus nanoparticles with switchableamphiphilicity and is key to adjusting material?s properties to specificapplications.[4]