Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly for the Preparation of Poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-Poly(4-tert-butoxystyrene-co-pentafluorostyrene) Particles with Inverse Bicontinuous Phases†

Main observation and conclusion Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is an effective method to prepare block copolymer (BCP) particles with various morphologies. However, BCPs with inverse bicontinuous phase structure have been rarely prepared via PISA. Herein, we report the preparation of particles, consisting of poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide-b-poly(4-tert-butoxystyrene-co-pentafluorostyrene) BCP, with inverse bicontinuous phases via PISA in ethanol/water. The effects of solvent composition and the degree of polymerization of the core-forming were investigated. The bicontinuous structure of BCP particles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy.

Automated summary

Polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) is an effective method for preparing block copolymer (BCP) particles with various morphologies, but the preparation of BCPs with inverse bicontinuous phase structure via PISA is rarely reported. In this study, particles with inverse bicontinuous phases were successfully prepared using PISA in ethanol/water. The bicontinuous structure of the BCP particles was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, and the effects of solvent composition and the degree of polymerization of the core-forming block were investigated.