Effect of Block Sequence on the Solution Self-Assembly of Symmetric ABCBA Pentablock Polymers in a Selective Solvent

Solution self-assembly of multiblock polymers offers a platform to create complex functional self-assembled nanostructures. However, a complete understanding of the effect of the different single-molecule-level parameters and solution conditions on the self-assembled morphology is still lacking. In this work, we have used dissipative particle dynamics to investigate the solution self-assembly of symmetric ABCBA linear pentablock polymers in a selective solvent and examined the effect of the block sequence, composition, and polymer concentration on the final morphology and polymer conformations. We confirmed that block sequence has an effect on the self-assembled morphologies, and it has a strong influence on polymer conformations that give place to physical gels for the sequence where the solvophilic block is located in the middle of the macromolecule. Our results are summarized in terms of morphology diagrams in the composition concentration parameter space.

Automated summary

This study used dissipative particle dynamics to investigate the solution self-assembly of symmetric ABCBA linear pentablock polymers in a selective solvent and examined the effect of block sequence, composition, and polymer concentration on the final morphology and polymer conformations. The results confirmed that block sequence affects the self-assembled morphology and has a strong influence on polymer conformations, leading to the formation of physical gels for the sequence where the solvophilic block is located in the middle of the macromolecule. Our findings are summarized in morphology diagrams in the composition concentration parameter space.