Inversion of diblock copolymer micelles by selective solvents for conversion of gold nanopatterns

We report the creation of spherical and donut-like nanostructures by the inversion of diblock copolymers. We synthesized a diblock copolymer, consisting of one block which allows the synthesis of nanoparticles and the other block which is selectively removable. Using a selective solvent for each block, we produced two types of micelles, which have the inversed position of two blocks, that is, the core of the nanoparticle-synthesizable block and the corona of the removable block (similar to 29 nm in diameter), and vice versa (similar to 53 nm in diameter). Single layers of these two micelles on substrates were converted to spherical or donut-like nanostructures by selective elimination of the removable coronas or cores. Moreover, these nanostructures were empioyed as templates for the synthesis and arrangement of spherical nanoparticles (similar to 24 nm) and their ring-like configuration in large area. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.