Polymerization‐induced microphase separation of a polymerization mixture into nanostructured block polymer materials

• Published in: Progress in polymer science Vol. 145; p. 101738
• Main Authors: Oh, Taeseok, Cho, Suchan, Yoo, Changsu, Yeo, Wonjune, Oh, Jinyeong, Seo, Myungeun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2023
• Subjects: Bicontinuous morphology; Block polymer; Polymer electrolyte; Polymerization-induced microphase separation; Porous polymer; RAFT polymerization; Bicontinuous morphology; Polymer electrolyte; Block polymer; RAFT polymerization; Polymerization-induced microphase separation; Porous polymer
• ISSN: 0079-6700; 1873-1619
• DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2023.101738

•Polymerization-induced microphase separation solidifies a whole polymerization mixture.•The increasing degree of polymerization spontaneously induces microphase separation.•In situ cross-linking can kinetically trap a nanoscopic bicontinuous morphology.•The process is compatible with various polymerization methods such as 3D printing.
Block polymers comprising covalently joined polymeric segments represent a class of nanostructured, multicomponent polymeric materials. Polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS) is an intriguing subset that allows for simultaneous nanostructuring during block polymer synthesis. In contrast to polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA), useful for the spontaneous formation of block polymer micelles, PIMS is well suited to fabricating monolithic block polymer materials by turning a whole polymerization mixture into a nanostructured solid. With the in situ cross-linking feature, PIMS offers a facile route to nanostructured block polymer thermosets in combination with various polymerization techniques, from emulsion polymerization to 3D printing. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview and practical guide on PIMS by covering its historical background and mechanistic aspects and also highlighting representative material classes and applicable polymerization techniques.
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