From Precision Synthesis of Block Copolymers to Properties and Applications of Nanoparticles

Inorganic nanoparticles have become a research focus in numerous fields because of their unique properties that distinguish them from their bulk counterparts. Controlling the size and shape of nanoparticles is an essential aspect of nanoparticle synthesis. Preparing inorganic nanoparticles by using block copolymer templates is one of the most reliable routes for tuning the size and shape of nanoparticles with a high degree of precision. In this Review, we discuss recent progress in the design of block copolymer templates for crafting spherical inorganic nanoparticles including compact, hollow, and core-shell varieties. The templates are divided into two categories: micelles self-assembled from linear block copolymers and unimolecular star-shaped block copolymers. The precise control over the size and morphology of nanoparticles is highlighted as well as the useful properties and applications of such inorganic nanoparticles.