Responsive vesicles from the self-assembly of crystalline-coil polyferrocenylsilane-block-poly(ethylene oxide) star-block copolymers
Schacher, FH; Elbert, J; Patra, SK; Yusoff, SF; Winnik, MA; Manners, I
| HERO ID | 1039232 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2012 |
| Title | Responsive vesicles from the self-assembly of crystalline-coil polyferrocenylsilane-block-poly(ethylene oxide) star-block copolymers |
| Authors | Schacher, FH; Elbert, J; Patra, SK; Yusoff, SF; Winnik, MA; Manners, I |
| Journal | Chemistry: A European Journal |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Page Numbers | 517-525 |
| Abstract | We demonstrate the synthesis and characterization of star-shaped crystalline-coil block copolymers with four arms consisting of an inner block of poly(ethylene oxide) and an outer semicrystalline compartment of poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilane), [PEO(50) -b-PFDMS(35)](4). The materials were synthesized by transition-metal-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of dimethylsila[1]ferrocenophane in the presence of silane-functionalized four-arm PEO stars as macroinitiators and they exhibited a moderate polydispersity (PDI≅1.4). Self-assembly in mixtures of THF and different alcohols as selective solvents for the PEO block resulted in the formation of semicrystalline vesicles (ethanol, 1-butanol) or large, rather ill-defined, spherical structures (methanol). Further, both the rate of addition of the selective co-solvent and the overall solvent/non-solvent ratio drastically affected the size and stability of the self-assembled particles. We could also show that a photoacid generator, as a model for an active substance, can be encapsulated and the UV-induced generation of HCl resulted in a straightforward degradation of the organometallic vesicles. |
| Doi | 10.1002/chem.201102322 |
| Pmid | 22162204 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Comments | Source: Web of Science 000298731200018 |
| Is Public | Yes |
| Language Text | English |
| Keyword | self-assembly; block copolymers; nanostructures; solvent effects |
| Is Qa | No |