Exploration of complex nanostructures in block copolymers

The exploration of nanoscale morphologies with three-dimensional spatial arrangements in block copolymers involves the manipulation of compositional fluctuations at interfaces, induction of conformational asymmetry, and design of complex architectures. Despite the abundance of triply periodic minimal surfaces identified to date, the experimental demonstration of thermodynamically stable complex nanostructures with high-packing frustration remains limited. This research update focuses on the importance of molecular interactions for stabilizing complex nanostructures and proposes the use of end-group chemistry as a versatile method for realizing thermodynamically stable network structures with high-packing frustration in simple linear diblock copolymers. The proposed approach substantially alters phase diagrams and reveals unprecedented network structures in block copolymers. Ongoing research has the potential to generate even more diverse and stable nanostructures, thereby advancing nanotechnology and expanding our understanding of polymers and materials science. Published by the American Physical Society 2024