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The construction of functional nano-/micro-architectures through self-assembly and self-organization of organic molecules and polymeric materials plays an important role in the development of many technologies. In this study, we report the spontaneous formation of uniform polymer microrods with lengths of up to a few tens of micrometers from paraffin wax. Through a solvent attrition approach, colloidal structures of paraffin wax are introduced into water. After the initial growth stage, the microrods undergo morphological transformation and end-to-end aggregation, processes likely driven by thermodynamics to create equilibrium structures with minimal interfacial energies. The polymer microrods can effectively absorb hydrophobic nanoparticles, indicating their potential to serve as host materials for functional components. The formation of polymer microrods from paraffin wax and their spontaneous growth mechanism discovered in this study may provide new insights to the self-assembly of microstructures.
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Self‐Propelled Supracolloidal Fibers from Multifunctional Polymer Surfactants and Droplets
Abstract Advanced synthetic materials are needed to produce nano‐ and mesoscale structures that function autonomously, catalyze reactions, and convert chemical energy into motion. This paper describes supracolloidal fiber‐like structures that are composed of self‐adhering, or “sticky,” oil‐in‐water emulsion droplets. Polymer zwitterion surfactants serve as the key interfacial components of these materials, enabling multiple functions simultaneously, including acting as droplet‐stabilizing surfactants, interdroplet adhesives, and building blocks of the fibers. This fiber motion, a surprising additional feature of these supracolloidal structures, is observed at the air–water interface and hinged on the chemistry of the polymer surfactant. The origin of this motion is hypothesized to involve transport of polymer from the oil–water interface to the air–water interface, which generates a Marangoni (interfacial) stress. Harnessing this fiber motion with functional polymer surfactants, and selection of the oil phase, produced worm‐like objects capable of rotation, oscillation, and/or response to external fields. Overall, these supracolloidal fibers fill a design gap between self‐propelled nano/microscale particles and macroscale motors, and have the potential to serve as new components of soft, responsive materials structures.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1740630
- PAR ID:
- 10457028
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Macromolecular Rapid Communications
- Volume:
- 41
- Issue:
- 15
- ISSN:
- 1022-1336
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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