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Download fileNanorod-Based Supramolecular Nanocomposites: Effects of Nanorod Length
journal contribution
posted on 30.08.2016, 15:20 authored by Kari Thorkelsson, Noah Bronstein, Ting XuNanorods
(NRs) have unique anisotropic properties that are desirable
for various applications. Block copolymer-based supramolecules present
unique opportunities to control inter-rod ordering and macroscopic
alignment of NRs to fully take advantage of their unique anisotropic
properties. Here, we studied the effects of NR aspect ratio where
the NR length is in the range of 20–180 nm on the assemblies
of NRs in supramolecular framework. At a moderate loading (∼3
vol %), well-ordered assemblies of 37–90 nm NRs embedded in
the supramolecular framework were formed. Shorter NRs (∼22
nm) coassemble with the supramolecule but were not well-ordered and
displayed little orientational control within the microdomains. In
contrast, longer NRs (∼180 nm) formed kinetically trapped states
that restricted the formation of well-ordered coassemblies in NR/supramolecule
blends. Additionally, the NRs are shown to be capable of kinetically
trapping the system after normally reversible morphological transitions
triggered by the thermal dissociation of the supramolecule, arresting
the system away from a stable morphology. These studies shed light
on the effects of NR-induced kinetic arrest on the self-assembly of
a supramolecular nanocomposite.