A polymerization-induced self-assembly process for all-styrenic nano-objects using the living anionic polymerization mechanism

We report the combination of the living anionic polymerization (LAP) mechanism with the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) process, and the all-styrenic diblock copolymer poly( p-tert -butylstyrene)- b -polystyrene (P t BS- b -PS) based LAP PISA. Firstly, the practicability and controllability of the LAP PISA were successfully confirmed by the well-controlled molecular weight (MW) and narrow molecular weight distribution ( M w / M n < 1.10). Subsequently, the effect of key factors, including the MWs of P t BS and PS segments, targeted MW ratio M n,PS / M n,P t BS , and weight solids content, on the morphological evolution was investigated, and the phase diagram was finally presented. By combination of the living anionic polymerization (LAP) mechanism with the polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) technique, the all-styrenic diblock copolymer poly( p-tert -butylstyrene)- b -polystyrene (P t BS- b -PS) based LAP PISA was successfully developed.