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Self-assembly of linear-hyperbranched hybrid block polymers: crystallization-driven or solvent-driven?

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Abstract

Self-assembly of polyethylene-block-hyperbranched polyglycidol diblock polymers (PE1-b-hbPG7-OH8 and PE1-b-hbPG26-OH27) in selective or slightly selective or nonselective solvents of PE segments were investigated by microscopy (TEM, SEM and AFM). Study showed that both polymers can be assembled into a diamond-shaped lamellae driving by PE crystallization in toluene solvent, composed of PE single-crystal layer sandwiched between two hbPG layers tethered on the top and bottom basal surfaces. However, by adding the toluene solution of polymers to THF and MeOH, the morphology of the aggregate changed from lamellae to rod or sphere, indicating the change of driving force from the crystallization of PE block to the interaction parameter (χ) between hbPG block and solvent. In addition, the degree of polymerization (DP) of hbPG segments affected the thickness of the lamellae (in toluene) and the shape and size of the rodlike or spherical aggregate (in mixed solvent), determined by the relative volume fractions of PE and hbPG chains in selective solvents.

Polyethylene-block-hyperbranched polyglycidol diblock polymers (PE1-b-hbPG7-OH8 and PE1-b-hbPG26-OH27) can self-assemble into diamond-shaped lamellae aggregate in toluene and into rodlike aggregate or spherical aggregate in mixed solutions, driving by PE crystallization and block-solvent interaction parameter (χ) respectively. The driving forces can be controlled simply by adjusting the polarity of solvents as well as DP of hbPG segments.

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Acknowledgements

Funding from the Project of Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21204041, 21604044), the Project of Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (LY18B040001), K. C. Wong Education Foundation, and K. C. Wong Magna Fund, Hong Kong, are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, People’s Republic of China

    Linfeng Ding, Jianyong Qian, Gejiong Zhu, Wei Li, Chuanzhuang Zhao, Yuci Xu & Jingshan Mu

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  1. Linfeng Ding
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Ding, L., Qian, J., Zhu, G. et al. Self-assembly of linear-hyperbranched hybrid block polymers: crystallization-driven or solvent-driven?. J Polym Res 26, 121 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-019-1786-5

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