Direct nanorod assembly using block copolymer-based supramolecules.

Abstract

Developing routes to control the organization of one-dimensional nanomaterials, such as nanorods, with high precision is critical to generate functional materials since the collective properties depend on their spatial arrangements, interparticle ordering, and macroscopic alignment. We have systematically investigated the coassemblies of nanorods and block copolymer (BCP)-based supramolecules and showed that the energetic contributions from nanorod ligand-polymer interactions, polymer chain deformation, and rod-rod interactions are comparable and can be tailored to disperse nanorods with control over inter-rod ordering and the alignment of nanorods within BCP microdomains. By varying the supramolecular morphology and chemical nature of the nanorods, two highly sought-after morphologies, that is, nanoscopic networks of nanorods and nanorod arrays parallel to cylindrical BCP microdomains can be obtained. The supramolecular approach can be applied to achieve morphological control in nanorod-containing nanocomposites toward fabrication of optical and electronic nanodevices.