Higher Levels of Self-Assembly of Ionic Amphiphilic Copolymers: Strategies Based on Multiple Molecular Interactions (SONS-AMPHI)

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We propose to study the hierarchical self-assembly of ionic / non-ionic amphiphilic macromolecules driven by multiple types of interactions both in aqueous solution and at interfaces. The spectrum of molecular architectures will range from simple linear structures (e.g., block copolymers) to branched structures (e.g. graft copolymers) and more complex nanoparticles (core-shell and Janus type). We aim to understand how self organization, the resulting structures and interfacial patterns are controlled by the interplay of macromolecular architecture of building blocks with different types and ranges of competing interactions, particularly hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. Our ultimate goal is to create systems that can self-assemble in a hierarchical way. The present project will explore possible approaches in this challenging direction. The expertise of the participating groups (advanced synthetic techniques, a wide range of experimental characterization methods and the combination of analytical and computational theoretical modeling) is strongly complementary and their coordinated efforts will lead to a new level of understanding of self-organization of amphiphilic macromolecular systems.