Head-Tail Asymmetry as the Determining Factor in the Formation of Polymer Cubosomes or Hexasomes in a Rod-Coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer

The self-assembly of a rod-coil amphiphilic block copolymer (ABCP) led to Im3m and Pn3m polymer cubosomes and p6mm polymer hexasomes. This is the first time that these structures are observed in a rod-coil system. By varying the hydrophobic chain length, the initial concentration of the polymer solution, or the solubility parameter of the mixed solvent, head-tail asymmetry is adjusted to control the formation of polymer cubosomes or hexasomes. The formation mechanism of the polymer cubosomes was also studied. This research opens up a new way for further study of the bicontinuous and inverse phases in different ABCP systems.