Orientational ordering and spatial distribution of Janus nanoparticles in lamellae diblock copolymers

Abstract

Orientational ordering and spatial distribution of rod-like Janus nanoparticles in the lamellae diblock copolymers has been considered using a molecular theory based on simple model of Janus particle with two different interaction centres located at the particle ends. Order parameter and concentration profiles of Janus nanoparticles have been calculated numerically for different values of the nanoparticle length. It has been found that Janus nanoparticles are mainly located in the boundary region between the domains and are orientationally ordered in that region with a high orientational order parameter. This orientational order is induced by the interface and is determined by the different affinities of the two ends of the Janus particle with respect to the monomers of different domains. Comparison with block copolymers doped with symmetric nanoparticles indicates that polymer nanocomposites with Janus particles are expected to possess much larger dielectric anisotropy and thus can be considered as promising anisotropic nanomaterials which can be aligned by the external electric field.