Rapid Access to Nanostructured Polymeric Colloids via Confined Self-Assembly of Bottlebrush Random Copolymers
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Hierarchically structured polymeric colloids have shown great promise for diverse applications, but less attention has been placed on reducing the preparation time. Here, we present a rapid production of nanostructured colloids by confined self-assembly of bottlebrush random copolymers (BRCPs) in evaporative emulsion. By quickly evaporating the solvent, symmetric BRCPs with polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) side-chains assembled into onion-like particles within 10 minutes. Formation kinetics revealed that particle morphologies were developed instantaneously due to the confinement effect and the BRCP architecture. Furthermore, the tunability of the domain spacings was demonstrated by controlling the degree of polymerization of the side-chains. In an attempt to expand the scope of rapidly accessible particle structures, various morphologies such as concentric lamellae, coiled-cylinders, spheres-in-spheres were achieved as well as compartmentalized Janus-onion colloids.