Co-assembly of Nanoparticles and Block Copolymers into Hybrid Micellar Aggregates

In this review, we outline the most recent publications and patents focusing on hybrid micellar aggregates comprising nanoparticles (NPs) and block copolymers (BCPs) in the last decade, which have attracted much interest owing to their potential applications in the fields of optics, electronics, sensors, drug delivery and release, bioimaging, targeting, and catalysis. Among them, precise location and assembly of NPs in polymers are of great importance in realizing the formation of nanocomposites with high performances. BCPs assembly offers a simple and efficient route to direct and locate NPs in polymer matrix. First, we will outline different synthetic strategies for directing inorganic NPs into the micellar aggregates based on co-assembly of NPs and BCPs. We will then discuss principles and possible mechanisms for precisely regulating NPs in polymer microdomains of BCPs based on the experimental and theoretical results. Potential applications of the hybrid micellar aggregates will finally be discussed, followed by current and future developments of this emerging area.