Structural Hierarchy

Hierarchical materials combine structural features on several length scales, ranging from nm to µm dimensions. The self-assembly of block copolymers in solution into micellar structures of different morphologies is well established. Typical size regimes are 10-500 nm, including vesicular and cylindrical structures. We would like to go a bit further and equip such micelles or, as an alternative, nanoparticles, with further functionality or responsiveness. Upon release of a suitable trigger, these particles shall act as building blocks or "unimers" and allow for the controlled build-up of colloidal structures in the range of several µm.

Hierarchy in this case would be:

Monomer - Polymer - Block Copolymer - Micelle / Nanoparticle - Mesoscopic Aggregates

Our aim is to develop platforms where nanometer-sized objects can be used as building blocks for the controlled preparation of ordered structures. Synthetic control would start at the molecular level = the monomer choice. One system we are currently investigating in collaboration with groups in Bayreuth (Axel H. E. Müller) and Aachen (Andreas Walther) are linear ABC triblock terpolymers and their step-wise hierarchical self-assembly in dilute solution.