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Bilayer-folded lamellar mesophase induced by random polymer sequence

Author

Listed:
  • Minjoong Shin

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST))

  • Hayeon Kim

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Geonhyeong Park

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST))

  • Jongmin Park

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST))

  • Hyungju Ahn

    (Pohang Accelerator Laboratory (PAL))

  • Dong Ki Yoon

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, KAIST
    KAIST Institute for the Nanocentury, KAIST)

  • Eunji Lee

    (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))

  • Myungeun Seo

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    KAIST Institute for the Nanocentury, KAIST)

Abstract

Randomness is perceived in two different extremes, in macroscopic homogeneity and local heterogeneity, but apparently far away from order. Here we show that a periodic order spontaneously arises from a binary random copolymer when self-assembly occurs in an ensemble containing > 1015 possible chain sequences. A Bernoullian distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic side chains grafted onto a linear backbone was constructed by random copolymerization. When the polymer chains associate in water, a sequence matching problem occurs because of the drastic heterogeneity in sequence: this is believed to generate local curvature mismatches which deviate from the ensemble-averaged interfacial curvature. Periodic folding of the self-assembled bilayer stabilizes the curvature instability as recurring hinges. Reminiscent of chain-folded lamellae found in polymer crystallization, this new liquid crystalline mesophase, characterized as bilayer-folded lamellae, manifests itself as an anisotropically alignable birefringent hydrogel with structural hierarchy across multiple length scales.

Suggested Citation

  • Minjoong Shin & Hayeon Kim & Geonhyeong Park & Jongmin Park & Hyungju Ahn & Dong Ki Yoon & Eunji Lee & Myungeun Seo, 2022. "Bilayer-folded lamellar mesophase induced by random polymer sequence," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-30122-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30122-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sung-Hwan Lim & Taehoon Lee & Younghoon Oh & Theyencheri Narayanan & Bong June Sung & Sung-Min Choi, 2017. "Hierarchically self-assembled hexagonal honeycomb and kagome superlattices of binary 1D colloids," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
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