MESOSIZED CRYSTAL-LIKE STRUCTURE OF HEXAGONALLY PACKED HOLLOW HOOPS BY SOLUTION SELF-ASSEMBLY OF DIBLOCK COPOLYMERS

Mesosize crystal-like aggregates with an internal structure of hexagon ally packed hollow hoops (HHH) in a polystyrene matrix have been prepa red in solution by self-assembly of asymmetric polystyrene-b-poly(acry lic acid) diblock copolymers. Most of the aggregates are cylindrical o r in the shape of truncated cones. The external surface of the aggrega tes and the internal surface of the hollow hoops are Lines with short: poly(acrylic acid) chains, The hoop morphology is imposed because the end-capping energy of a rod on this size scale is more important than the curvature energy. A strong interdependence between the external s hape and the internal structure in these mesosize particles is demonst rated.