Discovering multicore micelles: insights into the self-assembly of linear ABC terpolymers in midblock-selective solvents

Abstract

Using self-consistent field calculations, multicore micelles, such as the double-stranded superhelix, were discovered from the solution-state self-assembly of linear ABC terpolymers consisting of a solvophilic midblock and two mutually incompatible solvophobic endblocks. The multicore micelles were formed when the A and C endblocks self-associated into multiple incompatible solvophobic cores that were subdivided alternately by solvophilic B domains, thereby constructing hierarchical packing. The structures emerged depended on the relative lengths of the blocks and the solubility of the midblocks. According to the calculation results, diagrams of the observed structures as a function of the block length and midblock solubility were constructed. The results obtained can enrich our existing knowledge of the hierarchical assembly of copolymers and provide useful information for mimicking complex biological systems.