Prof. Dr. Axel Müller

Block copolymers self-assemble to a variety of nanostructures that are relevant for science and technology. While the bulk and solution self-assembly of AB diblock copolymers is largely understood, the solution self-assembly of block copolymers with three or more blocks remains challenging due to complex interplay of block/block and block/solvent interactions. Here, we provide guidelines for the self-assembly of linear ABC triblock terpolymers into a large variety of multicompartment nanostructures with soluble corona block C and collapsed core blocks A and B. Varying the ratio of block lengths N_C/N_A alters the micelle geometry to spheres, cylinders, bilayer sheets and vesicles. The insoluble blocks microphase separate to core A and surface patch B, where the block length N_B controls the patch morphology to spherical, cylindrical, bicontinuous and lamellar. The independent control over both structural features gives access to combinatorial libraries of solution nanostructures, including spheres-on-cylinders/sheets/vesicles (polymersomes), cylinders-on-sheets/vesicles, and sheets/vesicles with bicontinuous or lamellar membrane morphology. The derived parameters deliver a logical toolbox and provide complex self-assemblies for soft matter nanotechnologies.