@article { ISI:000327492500006,
	title = {Hierarchical Structuring in Block Copolymer Nanocomposites through Two Phase-Separation Processes Operating on Different Time Scales},
	journal = {Advanced Functional Materials},
	volume = {23},
	number = {34},
	year = {2013},
	note = {[["fid":"21954","view_mode":"default","type":"media","attributes":"height":"288","width":"312","style":"width: 325px; height: 300px;","alt":"38. co-assembly of B{\textquoteright}-nanoparticles with A-B block copolymers","title":"38. co-assembly of B{\textquoteright}-nanoparticles with A-B block copolymers","class":"media-element file-default"]]},
	month = {SEP 14},
	pages = {4215-4226},
	publisher = {WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH},
	type = {Article},
	address = {BOSCHSTRASSE 12, D-69469 WEINHEIM, GERMANY},
	abstract = {Tailoring the size and surface chemistry of nanoparticles allows one to control their position in a block copolymer, but this is usually limited to one-dimensional distribution across domains. Here, the hierarchical assembly of poly(ethylene oxide)-stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au-PEO) into hexagonally packed clusters inside mesostructured ultrathin films of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) is described. A close examination of the structural evolution at different nanoparticle filling fractions and PEO ligand molecular weights suggests that the mechanism leading to this structure-within-structure is the existence of two phase separation processes operating on different time scales. The length of the PEO ligand is shown to influence not only the interparticle distances but also the phase separation processes. These conclusions are supported by novel mesoscopic simulations, which provide additional insight into the kinetic and thermodynamic factors that are responsible for this behavior.},
	keywords = {Block copolymers, Hierarchical structures, microphase separation, Nanoparticles, Self-assembly},
	issn = {1616-301X},
	doi = {10.1002/adfm.201300091},
	author = {Ploshnik, Elina and Langner, Karol M. and Halevi, Amit and Ben-Lulu, Meirav and M{\"u}ller, Axel H. E. and Fraaije, Johannes G. E. M. and Agur Sevink, G. J. and Shenhar, Roy}
}
