Block copolymers (BCPs) provide a versatile platform for the formation of various nanostructures. Among them, ABC-type BCPs have great potential to form complex structures, which may have promising applications in nanotechnology. However, the self-assembly behavior of ABC-type BCPs is still not well understood because of its complexity, especially about the formation of complex structures that are difficult to be assumed from AB-type BCPs. In this paper, we propose a useful rule to systematically assume ordered structures possibly formed by ABC-type BCPs. We hypothetically change an AB-type BCP to an ABC-type architecture by replacing the ending portion of each free B block with a C block, to see how the C blocks separate from the ordered structure preformed by the AB-type BCP. We propose that the C domains firstly aggregate at the vertices of the Voronoi cell of the precursory AB-type structures to form spheres, then along the edges to form struts, and finally on the faces to form layers. Accordingly, we have obtained a large number of ABC-type structures, some of which are very complex and have not been reported before. The validity of the assumption rule is testified by using self-consistent field theory to determine the stability of some assumed structures. This rule can serve as a useful guide for the exploration of interesting novel structures in ABC-type BCPs.

• Received 31 August 2023
• Revised 1 November 2023
• Accepted 10 January 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.8.025601

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Published by the American Physical Society

This article appears in the following collection:

Self-Assembly of Complex Phases in Block Copolymer Materials

The Editors of Physical Review Materials are pleased to present the Collection on Self-Assembly of Complex Phases in Block Copolymer Materials, highlighting one of the most exciting fields in polymer science. Block copolymers offer an excellent model system for comprehending symmetry breaking in soft matter, as well as a unique platform for designing nanostructured materials. This Collection is being guest-edited by Kevin Dorfman from the University of Minnesota and Chris Bates from the University of California - Santa Barbara.