Moebius strips of chiral block copolymers

Zhen Geng, Bijin Xiong, Liquan Wang, Ke Wang, Min Ren, Lianbin Zhang (), Jintao Zhu () and Zhenzhong Yang ()
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Zhen Geng: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Bijin Xiong: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Liquan Wang: East China University of Science and Technology
Ke Wang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Min Ren: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Lianbin Zhang: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Jintao Zhu: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zhenzhong Yang: Tsinghua University

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The Moebius topology (twisted, single-sided strip) is intriguing because of its structural elegance and distinct properties. Here we report the generation of block copolymer Moebius strips via a fast self-assembly of chiral block copolymer polystyrene-block-poly(D-lactide acid) (PS-b-PDLA) in tetrahydrofuran/water mixed solvents. The Moebius strip is formed by morphological evolution from large compound micelle (LCM) to spindle-like micelle (SLM) and then to toroid with a 180° twist along the ring. Mechanism insight reveals that a subtle balance of crystallization of PDLA and microphase separation between PS and PDLA chains dominates the formation of Moebius strips. An intriguing helix-helix transition occurs during the chiral transfer from microphase to assemblies, which is driven by relaxation of the internal stress within SLM related to orientated stretching of PS chains. Mesoporous chiral channels can be generated within Moebius strips after removal of PDLA, which are interesting in chiral recognition, separation and asymmetric catalysis.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11991-3

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