Engineering the Structural Properties of DNA Block Copolymer Micelles by Molecular Recognition

摘要

In solution, amphiphilic block copolymers self-assemble into a large variety of different morphologies. These include most commonly spheres, rods, and vesicular assemblies.[1], [2] Occasionally, also lamellae, tubes, large compound vesicles, hexagonally packed hollow hoops, large compound micelles, and onions have been obtained.[3] In recent years, it has become a challenge to manipulate these morphologies in solution through different strategies. For a given block copolymer, composition reorganization of the micelle architectures has been achieved by changing the salinity as well as the solution pH,[4]-[6] the polymer concentration,[7], [8] and the solvent composition.[9]-[11] Other approaches to change the structures of block copolymer supramolecular assemblies include chemical modification of the polymers in situ[12] and thermally induced melting and crystallization.