Characterization and applications of self-assembly of amphiphilic alternating copolymers: The role of hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions in the self-assembly process

This document describes the characterization and the properties of amphiphilic alternating copolymers and their self-assembly into nanoarchitectures in aqueous solution. To investigate the role of the nature of the hydrophobic groups on the association, the self-assembly of two different polymers is compared: poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (IMA) and poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (SMA). The present paper will describe in detail the conformational analysis of IMA chains at different pHs, the association among IMA chains to form the nanostructures and discuss the influence of the nature of the hydrophobic group on the association. The theoretical prediction is also compared to experiment. In addition, a method was characterized for fabricating intrinsically conducting nanowires that are synthesized inside the hydrophobic cavity of the polymeric nanostructures. The careful and precise characterization of the synthesis of well-defined, high density conducting nanowires and nanosheets can have a major impact for applications in nanoelectronics and the development of sensors.