2-D Hierarchical Structure of a Block Copolymer and Bio-nanoparticle Composites

POSTER

Abstract

2-dimensional hierarchical structures were generated by combining two different self assembling systems; block copolymer and bio-nanoparticle. For this study, a block copolymer having a positively charged component, i.e. poly (styrene-b-N-methyl-4-vinylpyridinium iodide), was used. Thin film composites of this block copolymer and bio-nanoparticles were fabricated by adsorbing bio-particles on the polymer film and subsequently annealing the sample under the presence of solvent vapor. 2-dimensional hierarchical structures, where block copolymer chains microphase separated inside of discrete grains surrounded by bio-nanoparticles, were obtained with rod- like bio-particles (tobacco mosaic virus and M13 phage) as well as with spherical one (ferritin). The pH effect on the assembly of rod-like bio-particles and the morphology of composites was investigated. When the pH of the solution used for the adsorption of bio-particles was low, the bio-molecules aggregated and formed large bundles, while they were dispersed well at high pH. This difference was reflected in the morphology of the resultant complexes.

Authors

  • Dongseok Shin

    • Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
    • Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst

  • Yao Lin

    • Biosciences Division, Argonne National Laboratory

  • Qian Wang

    • Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Univ. of South Carolina
    • Chemistry and Biochemistry, Univ. of South Carolina
    • Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Nanocenter, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA

  • Thomas Russell

    • University of Massachusetts
    • Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
    • Polymer Science and Engineering Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Department of Polymer Science \& Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
    • University of Massachusetts, Amherst
    • Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
    • Dept. of Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Polymer Science and Engineering, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst
    • Department of Polymer Science and Engineering,University of Massachusetts-Amherst