Dynamic 2D/3D Membranes From Self-Assembly of Block Copolymer Micelles: Self-Healing Membranes and Reversible Coatings

In the last 5 years, we have developed new routes using self-assembly of block copolymers to prepare porous nanomaterials^1,2, coatings³ or to control the interactions between biocomponents⁴. In a first part, we will demonstrate the possibility of making self-healing membranes from a micelle assembly of block copolymers. Those micelles of 50 nm in diameter are strongly interacting through block copolymer bridges. In case of a major failure, the membrane is able to detect and to adjust its nanostructure in order to autonomously repair the damage. In a second part, we will introduced the possibility of using macromolecular zipper to reversibly assemble micelles into 2D and 3D coatings. The zipper effect was observed from poly(n-octadecyl methacrylate) blocks thanks to the interdigitating of the molecular brushes. Micelle monolayer was zipped to a poly(methyl methacrylate) substrate through a one pot strategy including a surface functionalization with anchoring points enabling a stable zipping of the micelles. Micelle multilayers were also obtained by increasing the micelle concentration through the solvent evaporation. The concept of zipping-assembly of micelles combines a self-assembly stage following “classical” rules and a reversible lock-in of the global morphology through a zipper mechanism.

¹ P. Tyagi, A. Deratani, D. Bouyer, D. Cot, V. Gence, M. Barboiu, T. N. T. Phan, D. Bertin, D. Gigmes, D. Quemener, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 7166.

² D. Quemener, G. Bonniol, T. N. T. Phan, D. Gigmes, D. Bertin, A. Deratani, Macromolecules 2010, 43, 5060.

³ P. Tyagi, I.E Raschip, A. Deratani, D. Quemener, Adv. Mater. 2013, in press.

⁴ Y-J. Shih, Y. Chang, A. Deratani, D. Quemener, Biomacromolecules 2012, 13, 2849.