Nanoscopic and Hierachical Materials via Living Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly

Project Information

2DHIBSA

Grant agreement ID: 787999

DOI

10.3030/787999

Project terminated on 30 September 2019

EC signature date 24 April 2018

Start date 1 May 2018

End date 30 April 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 499 597,00

EU contribution

€ 2 499 597,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 2DHIBSA (Nanoscopic and Hierachical Materials via Living Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly)

Reporting period: 2018-05-01 to 2019-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The creation of well-defined 2D functional materials that exist on a length-scale of nanometers to microns is of widespread interest. In this proposal we have tackled this issue by exploiting the unique opportunities made possible by recent developments with the living crystallization-driven self- assembly (CDSA) platform. Using this solution processing approach, amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs) with crystallizable blocks, related amphiphiles, and polymers with charged end groups have been used to predictably construct low dispersity samples of tailored, functional soft matter-based 2D nanostructures with controlled shape, size, and spatially-defined chemistries. These assemblies are of interest in the fields of liquid crystals, interface stabilization, catalysis, and nanomedicine which are all of societal importance.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the 18 months of this project we have used the crystallization-driven self-assembly solution (CDSA) processing approach with amphiphilic charge-capped homopolymers and block copolymers (BCPs) with crystallizable blocks to predictably construct 2D nanostructures with controlled shape, size, and spatially-defined chemistries. In particular, 2D platelets based on biodegradable polycaprolactone have been prepared and, after solving problems for CDSA of 1D polylactide assemblies, 2D polylactide assemblies and related materials based have been prepared. These 2D assemblies have potential applications in nanomedicine. In addition, platelets were accessed based on π-conjugated systems such as polythiophenes which are of interest as a result of their potential long-distance exciton diffusion and possible applications in optoelectronics. These results are described in 4 publications and several other manuscripts are in various stages of preparation.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

In particular, 2D platelets based on biodegradable polycaprolactone and polylactide have been prepared. These 2D assemblies have potential applications in nanomedicine. In addition, platelets were accessed based on π-conjugated systems such as polythiophenes which are of interest as a result of their potential long-distance exciton diffusion and possible applications in optoelectronics. Advances in heteroepitaxial growth have also been achieved to allow the formation of assemblies derived from different crystallizable polymeric materials.

See figure caption