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Marie Curie Research Training Networks (RTN): Self-Organized Nanostrucutres of Amphiphilic Copolymers
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The project aims to study the self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules differing in their molecular architecture, driven by multiple types of interactions. The spectrum of amphiphilic systems will range from simple linear structures (e.g., block copolymers) to branched structures (e.g., graft copolymers) and more complex nanoparticles (core-shell and Janus type). The most important among the overall objectives is to understand how the interplay of the macromolecular architecture of building blocks with different types and ranges of competing interactions, particularly hydrophobic and electrostatic ones, controls the self-organization processes on different scales and what the resulting structures and interfacial patterns will be.
An ultimate goal of the project is to create and understand systems that can self-assemble in a hierarchical way, that is, systems made up of molecules that should self-assemble in such a way that the resulting particles formed self-assemble again into a superstructure, which then has the ability to undergo another assembly process, etc. The present project aims at exploring possible approaches and should be seen as the first step in this challenging direction.
Another challenge is to obtain highly responsive (smart) systems capable of switching the aggregation state and super-molecular organization as a response to small variations of the external conditions, e.g. temperature, pH, light. Furthermore, the strong electrostatic interactions involved in ionic polymers may lead to the formation of regular arrays (patterned structures) in solution or at interfaces. The resulting nano-structured surfaces are expected to have tunable or stimuli-responsive properties (e.g., wettability, friction, bio-adhesion). Some of these structures may serve as molecular resolution templates or data storage materials.
Partner: Universität Bayreuth, CEA Saclay, Commissariat à l’énergie atomique (CEA), Institut de Chimie des Surfaces et Interfaces, CNRS Paris, Universität Paris, Natural Sciences Faculty, Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Rhodia Recherches S.A., Aubervilliers, Universität Basel, Department of Chemistry, Moscow State University, Wetenschap Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group, Wageningen - University & Research Centre, BASF, Technische Universität Berlin
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Marie Curie Research and Training Network
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http://www.polyamphi.org
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| © 2012, Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Potsdam |
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