Chaperone solvent-assisted assembly of polymers at the interface of two immiscible liquids

Sai Zhao, Yongkang Jiang, Yuchen Fu, Wei Chen, Qinrong Zhang, Liulin He, Changxiong Huang (), Yao Liu (), Xiao Cheng Zeng () and Yu Chai ()
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Sai Zhao: The City University of Hong Kong
Yongkang Jiang: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Yuchen Fu: The City University of Hong Kong
Wei Chen: The City University of Hong Kong
Qinrong Zhang: The City University of Hong Kong
Liulin He: The City University of Hong Kong
Changxiong Huang: The City University of Hong Kong
Yao Liu: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Xiao Cheng Zeng: The City University of Hong Kong
Yu Chai: The City University of Hong Kong

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The assembly of polymers at liquid-liquid interfaces offers a promising strategy for fabricating two-dimensional polymer films. However, a significant challenge arises when the polymers lack inherent interfacial traction. In response, we introduce an approach termed chaperone solvent-assisted assembly. This approach utilizes a target polymer, X, along with three solvents: α, β, and γ. α and β are poor solvents for X and immiscible with each other, while γ is a good solvent for X and miscible with both α and β, thus serving as the chaperone solvent. The cross-interface diffusion of γ induces the assembly of interfacially nonactive X at the α-β interface, and this mechanism is verified through systematic in situ and ex situ studies. We show that chaperone solvent-assisted assembly is versatile and reliable for the interfacial assembly of polymers, including those that are interfacially nonactive. Several practical applications based on chaperone solvent-assisted assembly are also demonstrated.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51657-3

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