Precise Epitaxial 1D and 2D Growth of Polyester-Based Materials in n-Alkanes.

Crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) has been extensively studied for the formation of bespoke nanoparticles and provides a unique way to control the unidirectional growth of block copolymers (BCPs). Currently, oil-soluble nanoparticles represent an under-researched area in the literature, stemming from the difficulty in synthesizing organic nanoparticles with higher-order morphologies using traditional techniques. These oil-soluble nanoparticles have uses as components in products as diverse as electronics and engine oils, with current research determining a strong relationship between morphology and performance, with anisotropic nanoparticles outperforming spherical counterparts. Here, we report on the facile self-assembly of polyester-based BCPs in n-octane to achieve low-dispersity 1D and 2D nanoparticles. This report focuses on using tunable, oil-soluble polymers and aims to understand their self-assembly in n-octane through the variation of self-assembly conditions and unimer solubility to form nanoparticles of a controlled and variable size.