One-dimensional growth kinetics for formation of cylindrical crystalline micelles of block copolymers

One-dimensional cylindrical micelles of block copolymers (BCPs) with a crystalline core have many advantages and potential applications. Their properties and performance are tightly related to their length. In this review, the growth kinetics and length control of cylindrical crystalline micelles of BCPs are commented. The pathways for formation of crystalline micelles are first introduced, and then the methods for preparing seed micelles (such as sonication and self-seeding) as well as regulation of the number and crystallinity of the seed micelles are presented. The kinetics for two growth modes starting from the seed micelles, that is, epitaxial growth of unimers onto the seed micelles and end-to-end coupling among different micelles, are derived and various factors affecting the growth kinetics and structure of the obtained micelles, including external conditions and BCP structure, are discussed.