Gelation inside block copolymer aggregates and organic/inorganic nanohybrids

Like in many other cases, block copolymers bearing alkoxysilyl groups in one segment self-assemble into aggregates. However, they may allow one to study the sol-gel reaction by making use of the gelable groups located in the domains of the aggregates, therefore, the gelation process can be made in a selected domain of the nanoscale. As a result, the organic nanostructure is transformed into an organic/ inorganic hybrid. The process of using covalently grafted alkoxysilane groups along the block copolymer precursors is applicable not only to the aggregates formed in solution, but also to the other forms of agggates in melts, thin films, and interfaces. In this feature article, this emerging field is introduced, mainly focusing on the gelation that occurs inside the preformed block copolymer aggregates in solution. The morphologically fixed hybrid nanoparticles, such as spheres, hollow particles,and complex hollow particles, are presented and discussed. This technology has great potentials in the fields of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, since various organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles and nanostructures can be effectively generated using this process.