Block copolymers, comprised of chemically different polymers covalently linked together, spontaneously self-assemble into well- defined structures on the tens of nanometer length scale, in bulk or in solution. For example, block copolymers in a dilute solution of a selective solvent for one block self-assemble into nanometer-sized spherical micelles, consisting of insoluble cores and soluble coronas. From this micellar solution, a film of micelles can be fabricated on a solid substrate such as a silicon wafer. Furthermore, block copolymer micelles can be coated inside of nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates, which can be an effective template to fabricate nanotubes of a variety of materials with controlled diameters and lengths.
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