Crystallization‐Driven Self‐Assembly of Polymers and Emerging Technologies
Xueqin Xi, Jiamei Liu, Hanjie Wang, Ziwen Yang, Mingtao Wang, Jinhong Jia, Hui SunABSTRACT
Crystallization plays an important role in polymer self‐assembly by directing molecular packing, internal ordering, and morphology regulation. The emergence of crystallization‐driven self‐assembly (CDSA) has provided a powerful strategy for constructing polymer nanostructures with controlled dimensions, anisotropic morphologies, and desired functions. This review focuses on the CDSA of polymers and emerging technologies, with emphasis on the mechanistic roles of crystallization in nucleation and growth, as well as the regulation of their morphology and functions by molecular design and external parameters such as concentration, solvent, temperature, light, and pH. We also summarize representative characterization methods and simulations used to reveal the CDSA of polymers, and highlight potential applications in biomedicine, optoelectronics, anti‐counterfeiting, information storage, and catalysis. Finally, current challenges and future opportunities in CDSA and emerging strategies are discussed.