Nanoparticles
Transmission electron microscopy image showing self-assembled diblock copolymer nanoparticles.
An amphiphillic (partially water loving, partially water hating) diblock copolymer self-assembles in a selective solvent (water) as it is polymerised. The structure formed is dependent on the molecular curvature of the block copolymer targeted and results from the hydrophobic block trying to escape contact with water molecules. In this case a vesicular morphology has been obtained.
Credit: Liam Ratcliffe, University of Sheffield
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