Selective localization of preformed nanoparticles in morphologically controllable block copolymer aggregates in solution.

The development of nanodevices currently requires the formation of morphologically controlled or highly ordered arrays of metal, semiconducting, or magnetic nanoparticles. In this context, polymer self-assembly provides a powerful bottom-up approach for constructing these materials. The self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) in solution is a facile and popular method for the preparation of aggregates of controllable morphologies, including spherical micelles, cylindrical micelles, vesicles (or polymersomes), thin films, and other complex structures that range from zero to three dimensions. Researchers can generally control the morphology of the aggregates by varying copolymer composition or environmental parameters, including the copolymer concentration, the common solvent, the content of the precipitant, or the presence of additives such as ions, among others. For example, as the content of the hydrophilic block in amphiphilic copolymers decreases, the aggregates formed from the copolymers can change from spherical micelles to cylindrical micelles and to vesicles. The aggregates of various morphologies provide excellent templates for the organization of the nanoparticles. The presence of various domains, such as cores, interfaces, and coronas, in BCP aggregates allows for selective localization of nanoparticles in different regions, which may critically affect the resulting properties and applications of the nanoparticles. For example, the incorporation of quantum dots (QDs) into micelle cores solves many problems encountered in the utilization of QDs in biological environments, including enhancement of water solubility, aggregation prevention, increases in circulation or retention time, and toxicity clearance. Simultaneously it preserves the unique optical performance of QDs compared with those of organic fluorophores, such as size-tunable light emission, improved signal brightness, resistance against photobleaching, and simultaneous excitation of multiple fluorescence colors. Therefore, many studies have focused on the selective localization of nanoparticles in BCP aggregates. This Account describes the selective localization of preformed spherical nanoparticles in different domains of BCP aggregates of controllable morphologies in solution, including spherical micelles, cylindrical micelles, and vesicles. These structures offer many potential applications in biotechnology, biomedicine, catalysis, etc. We also introduce other types of control, including interparticle spacing, particle number density, or aggregate size control. We highlight examples in which the surface coating, volume fraction, or size of the particles was tailored to precisely control incorporation. These examples build on the thermodynamic considerations of particle-polymer interactions, such as hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and ligand replacement, among others.