Block Copolymer Nanostructures

One of the most important classes of synthetic systems for creating self-assembled nanostructures is amphiphilic block copolymers. By controlling the architecture of individual molecules, it is possible to generate nanostructures either in an undiluted melt or in solution. These ordered nanostructures are tunable over a broad variety of morphologies, ranging from discrete micelles and vesicles to continuous network structures. Their synthetic nature allows the design of interfaces with different chemical functional groups and geometrical properties. This, in combination with molecular architecture, determines the levels of ordering in self-organizing polymeric materials. For these and other reasons, block copolymer micelles, vesicles, and mesophases are finding applications in several areas, ranging from nano composites to biomedical devices.