The Self-Assembly of Functional Homopolymers

Linear norbornene-based homopolymers possessing hydrophilic functional groups was prepared using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The resulting homopolymers are self-assembled into narrowly dispersed particles upon exposure to alcoholic solvents. The size of particles, ranging from a few nm to μm, can be systematically controlled by tuning the concentration and molecular weights of the polymers. These polymer particles can then serve as stimuli responsive materials for coatings, mechanical reinforcement, electrical, optical, and biological carrier applications.

homopolymer

Particle diameters of poly(NBE-OH) in MeOH as a function of concentration using SEM and DLS.

 

Jun-Hyun Kim and SonBinh T. Nguyen

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The Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) is supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF Award Number DMR-0520513. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation.
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