Self‐Assembly of Rod‐Coil Block Copolymers on Carbon Nanotubes: A Route toward Diverse Surface Nanostructures

In this work, it is reported that poly(γ‐benzyl‐l‐glutamate)‐block‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PBLG‐b‐PEG) rod‐coil block copolymers (BCPs) can disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in solution and form various surface nanostructures on the CNTs via solution self‐assembly. In an organic solvent that dissolves the BCPs, the PBLG rod blocks adsorb on CNT surfaces, and the BCPs form conformal coatings. Then, by the introduction of water, a selective solvent for PEG blocks, the BCPs in the coatings further self‐assemble into diverse surface nanostructures, such as helices (left‐handed or right‐handed), gyros, spheres, and rings. The morphology of the surface nanostructure can be tailored by initial organic solvent composition, preparation temperature, feeding ratio of BCPs to CNTs, degree of polymerization of PBLG blocks, and diameter of the CNTs. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in both organic solvents and water is achieved by rod‐coil block copolymers (BCPs). In organic solvents, the BCPs form conformal coatings on the CNTs. By adding water, a selective solvent for the BCPs, further self‐assembly of the BCPs in the coatings leads to various surface nanostructures on the CNTs, such as helices, gyros, spheres, and rings.