Conversion of supramolecular clusters to macromolecular objects

Eugene R. Zubarev, Martin U. Pralle, Leiming Li, Samuel I. Stupp*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

177 Scopus citations

Abstract

In a reaction proceeding within a nanoscopic volume, supramolecular clusters were transformed to polymer objects while retaining their shape and size. Spatial isolation of the cross-linkable blocks of oligobutadiene that were involved in this stitching reaction was achieved by self-assembly of the molecules that made up the clusters. Thermal activation of cross-linking yielded macromolecules (molecular weight of 70,000) with a narrow size distribution that was similar to that of the supramolecular clusters. The macromolecules obtained have an anisotropic shape (2 nanometers by 8 nanometers), as determined by electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering, and form materials that exhibit a liquid crystalline state.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)523-526
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume283
Issue number5401
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 22 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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