Anisotropic polymer nanoparticles with controlled dimensions from the morphological transformation of isotropic seeds

TL;DR

This paper introduces MORPH, a novel method for creating highly anisotropic polymer nanoparticles with controlled sizes through morphological transformation driven by supramolecular bonds, supported by a minimal physical model.

Contribution

The study presents a new morphological transformation technique (MORPH) for fabricating anisotropic nanoparticles with controlled dimensions, along with a generalizable physical model.

Findings

MORPH enables controlled anisotropic nanoparticle synthesis.

The physical model suggests broad applicability across polymer systems.

Potential for advancing nanoscale self-assembly and nanostructure production.

Abstract

Understanding and controlling self-assembly processes at multiple length scales is vital if we are to design and create advanced materials. In particular, our ability to organise matter on the nanoscale has advanced considerably, but still lags far behind our skill in manipulating individual molecules. New tools allowing controlled nanoscale assembly are sorely needed, as well as the physical understanding of how they work. Here, we report a new method for the production of highly anisotropic nanoparticles with controlled dimensions based on a morphological transformation process (MORPH for short) driven by the formation of supramolecular bonds. We present a minimal physical model for MORPH which suggests it will be generalisable to a large number of polymer/nanoparticle systems. We envision MORPH becoming a valuable tool for controlling nanoscale self-assembly, and for the production of functional nanostructures for diverse applications.