Recently, the research team led by Professor Cheng Bowen at Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of crystallization-driven self-assembly of polymer solutions. Their research paper, titled "Precise preparation of size-uniform two-dimensional platelet micelles through crystallization-assisted rapid microphase separation using all-bottlebrush-type block copolymers with crystalline side chains," has been published in the prestigious chemical journal Journal of the American Chemical Society (Xiaoliang Yu, Yuanjian Fang, Zhiruo Luo, Xingjian Guo, Lulu Fu, Zhi Fan, Jin Zhao, Hongxiang Xie, Minjie Guo, Bowen Cheng*, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025, DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c16546). Dr. Yu Xiaoliang, a young faculty member from the School of Chemical Engineering and Materials, is the first author. Dr. Yu Xiaoliang, Professor Guo Minjie, and Professor Cheng Bowen are the co-corresponding authors. TUST is the sole corresponding institution.

The precise construction of low-curvature two-dimensional (2D) polymer micelles with uniform size and controlled morphology remains a key challenge in the field of polymer self-assembly. On one hand, 2D polymer micelles possess rich functionalities and excellent properties; for instance, the long-range ordered characteristics of planar 2D semiconductor nanomaterials can promote efficient charge transport, making them highly sought after in fields such as drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and chemical catalysis. On the other hand, 2D platelet micelles exhibit significantly increased specific surface area, anisotropy, and surface modification potential, offering more prominent advantages in various fundamental and applied research areas. Currently, crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of linear semi-crystalline block copolymers is one of the most effective methods for preparing 2D platelet micelles with controlled dimensions. However, this process requires extremely low assembly concentrations and long assembly times, posing significant limitations for practical applications requiring large-scale preparation of micro/nanostructures.

This research, for the first time, combines the crystallization-driven self-assembly process with the characteristic rapid microphase separation of bottlebrush polymer topologies. Using poly(stearyl acrylate)-block-poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) as the model system, the team established a new mechanism that synergistically promotes instantaneous and rapid microphase separation of polymers in solution. Compared to traditional CDSA, this method drastically reduces the assembly time to just minutes or even seconds, while increasing the assembly concentration by tens of times. By employing various advanced characterization techniques and molecular dynamics simulations, the study established the structure-activity relationship between micelle morphology and growth behavior, revealing the crucial role of temperature-dependent characteristics during the self-assembly evolution process. This enables the "active" regulation of micro/nanostructure growth and the efficient construction of micro/nanostructures with uniform sizes, providing new theoretical support for fundamental and applied research in polymer self-assembly and condensed matter behavior.

The publication of this research in the Journal of the American Chemical Society represents another landmark achievement under the university's "Pioneer Plan," specifically its "Scientific and Technological Climbing" action plan. Moving forward, the university will further promote the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent, strengthen organized research, and foster interdisciplinary integration. Focusing on solving fundamental issues and tackling key "bottleneck" technologies in the polymer field, TUST will enhance basic and applied fundamental research, vigorously advance the development and transformation of scientific research achievements in polyester materials and high-performance polymer materials, promote the development of new quality productive forces, and contribute "TUST Strength" to building a leading nation in science and technology.