Physical Aspects of Polymer Self–Assembly

Although the concept of molecular self–assembly has been recognized and evolved for over four decades, it is only during the past few years that research activity has intensified in the area. Self–assembling polymers result in desirable functional properties and structures like micelles, membranes, vesicles, and liquid crystals. The concept of polymer self–assembly is an increasingly popular branch of polymer chemistry and associated with a variety of novel applications in fields like nanotechnology, polymer physics, and engineering and advanced morphological, smart, and stimuli–responsive properties.

Offering an overview of principles and techniques, Physical Aspects of Polymer Self–Assembly covers all major categories of self–assembled polymers properties, processes, and design. The opening chapters define polymers and self–assembly to introduce fundamental features, like self–sorting, self–assembly in solution, chain folding, foldamers, and kinetic self–assembly. Each of the following chapters then focuses on the self–assembly of a different polymer type and provide in–depth descriptions of morphologies, reactions, and properties. The author uses examples to further illustrate the possibilities of polymer self–assembly and initiate research in emerging fields, concluding with a discussion on challenges and outlook of the field.

For practicing polymer scientists in academia or industry, Physical Aspects of Polymer Self–Assembly offers a valuable one–stop reference and resource that:

          Provides an organized, comprehensive overview of polymer self–assembly, its fundamentals, principles, and applications
          Includes chapters on block copolymers, amphiphilic polymers, supramolecular polymers, rotaxenes, polymer gels, dendrimers, and small molecules in polymer matrices
          Focuses on novel applications, like conjugated polymers, gels, fibers, nanomaterials, and stimuli–responsive polymers that can be applied to polymer science, materials science, and nanotechnology
          Examines state–of–the–art concepts, like lithographic patterning, tectonics, and foldaxane

P. Sundararajan, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Carleton University in Ontario, Canada and has over 40 years of academic and industry experience in polymer chemistry. He has held positions as the Director of the Ottowa Carleton Chemistry Institute and Principal Scientist, Manager, and Project Leader at the Xerox Research Center of Canada. His current research focuses on the morphology of self–assembly systems, macromolecular nanotechnology, and the morphology of polymer composites in confined systems.