Depolymerization-Induced Morphological Transformation

TL;DR

Scientists developed a new method to control the shape of polymer nanoparticles through depolymerization, enabling a sequence of morphological changes from vesicles to worms to spheres.

Contribution

The introduction of depolymerization-induced morphological transformation (DIMT) as a modular methodology for controlling nanoparticle shape during selective degradation.

Findings

DIMT enables a sequential evolution of copolymer morphology from vesicles to worms to spheres.

A predictive (pseudo)phase diagram was constructed using TEM and SAXS studies.

DIMT was applied to the irreversible degelation of diblock copolymer worm gels.

Abstract

Depolymerization
offers a powerful route for the chemical recycling
of vinyl polymers. However, current strategies focus almost exclusively
on monomer recovery, which overlooks broader applications and opportunities.
Herein, depolymerization-induced morphological transformation (DIMT)
is introduced as a modular methodology to control the shape of sterically
stabilized diblock copolymer nanoparticles and gain mechanistic insight
into morphological transformations that occur during selective degradation
of the methacrylic core-forming block. Notably, DIMT results in a
sequential evolution in copolymer morphology from vesicles to worms
to spheres. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle
X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies enabled the construction of a predictive
(pseudo)­phase diagram. Furthermore, this new approach was also applied
to the irreversible degelation of diblock copolymer worm gels, highlighting
new opportunities to regulate material properties through depolymerization.

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