Mesosized Crystal-like Structure of Hexagonally Packed Hollow Hoops by Solution Self-Assembly of Diblock Copolymers

Mesosize crystal-like aggregates with an internal structure of hexagonally packed hollow hoops (HHH) in a polystyrene matrix have been prepared in solution by self-assembly of asymmetric polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers. Most of the aggregates are cylindrical or in the shape of truncated cones. The external surface of the aggregates and the internal surface of the hollow hoops are lines with short poly(acrylic acid) chains. The hoop morphology is imposed because the end-capping energy of a rod on this size scale is more important than the curvature energy. A strong interdependence between the external shape and the internal structure in these mesosize particles is demonstrated.