Supramolecular Materials via Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

TLDR

This review examines how block copolymer macromolecular building blocks can be used to create self‑assembled materials, including strategies for stimuli‑responsive systems. The authors describe three block copolymer architectures—coil–coil, rod–coil diblock, and rod–coil oligomer—detailing their self‑assembly principles and illustrating their use in functional supramolecular materials.

Abstract

This review discusses the potential of block copolymer type macromolecular building blocks for the preparation of self-assembled materials. Three different classes of block copolymer type architectures will be distinguished: (i) coil–coil diblock copolymers, (ii) rod–coil diblock copolymers, and (iii) rod–coil diblock oligomers. The basic principles that underlie the self-assembly of each of these different building blocks will be discussed. These theoretical considerations are complemented with examples from recent literature that illustrate the potential of the different types of block copolymers to prepare (functional) supramolecular materials. Finally, several strategies will be presented that could allow the preparation of stimuli-sensitive self-assembled materials, i.e., materials whose properties can be reversibly manipulated under the action of appropriate external stimuli.