A general strategy for designing complex brush architecture using star-like polymeric grafts

Synthetic control over the shape, size, and interactions between nanoscale building blocks remains an open challenge in self-assembly. Here, we propose to engineer triblock, star-like polymers to design patterning on nanoparticles. We developed a theory that characterizes the structural organization of grafted polymers as a function of parameters such as grafting density, chain length, block fractions, and core shape/sizes. Stripe-like patterning and corner/edge patch formation on arbitrarily shaped cores are readily accessible using our framework, all of which can be a priori predicted. Lastly, we employ assembly simulations to show that the resulting particles provide tighter control over structural and orientational orderings during self-assembly. More importantly, they offer a way to pattern directional interactions that can override face-face alignment tendencies intrinsic to each core geometry. Our theory, therefore, creates a new handle for tuning nanoscale synthesis, enabling designs of complex building blocks that can target novel assemblies for materials fabrication.

Automated summary

Proposed the use of triblock, star-like polymers to design patterning on nanoparticles and developed a theory to characterize their structural organization. Demonstrated tighter control over structural orderings and the ability to pattern directional interactions during self-assembly. Provides a new approach for nanoscale synthesis and enables the design of complex building blocks for materials fabrication.