Abstract
The creation of nanoparticles with controlled and uniform dimensions and spatially defined functionality is a key challenge. The recently developed living crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) method has emerged as a promising route to one-dimensional (1D) and 2D core–shell micellar assemblies by seeded growth of polymeric and molecular amphiphiles. However, the general limitation of the epitaxial growth process to a single core-forming chemistry is an important obstacle to the creation of complex nanoparticles with segmented cores of spatially varied composition that can be subsequently exploited in selective transformations or responses to external stimuli. Here we report the successful use of a seeded growth approach that operates for a variety of different crystallizable polylactone homopolymer/block copolymer blend combinations to access 2D platelet micelles with compositionally distinct segmented cores. To illustrate the utility of controlling internal core chemistry, we demonstrate spatially selective hydrolytic degradation of the 2D platelets—a result that may be of interest for the design of complex stimuli-responsive particles for programmed-release and cargo-delivery applications.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Nature Chemistry |
Early online date | 20 Apr 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 20 Apr 2023 |
Keywords
- crystallization-driven self-assembly
- block copolymers
- 2D segmented platelets