Crystallization-induced morphological changes of a poly(L-lactide)/poly(oxyethylene) diblock copolymer from sphere to band via disk: A novel macromolecular self-organization process from core-shell nanoparticles on surface

Nanoparticles of a poly-L-lactide-block-polyoxyethylene were prepared and developed on a substrate surface to allow particle destruction and aggregation until a stable morphology was constructed on the surface. The dynamic process of macromolecular dissociation, aggregation, and ordering observed during the morphological changes promoted the understanding of the mechanism of phase separation ad segment crystallization of block copolymers. The poly-L-lactide-block-polyoxyethylene monomethyl ether was synthesized via ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide.