Monday, 27 October 2025 4:00pm – 5:00pm

This seminar will be delivered in Lecture Theatre 4

Speaker: Simran Kerai

Host: A/Prof Markus Muellner

Title: Synthesis And Self-Assembly Of Asymmetric Block Copolymers Towards Nanodiscs

Abstract
Polymeric nanoparticles have revolutionized fields such as electronics, materials science, and nanotechnology. Anisotropic 2D nanomaterials, particularly discoidal nanoparticles can exhibit interesting characteristics due to their unique geometry, large surface area and aspect ratio, and atypical flow behaviour. However, their controlled synthesis remains challenging due to the substantial bending energy penalties associated with achieving flat, disc-like geometries through spontaneous self-assembly processes. Asymmetric block copolymers comprised of both rigid and flexible segments have been shown to self-assemble into discoidal nanoparticles, but there is a lack of understanding in the structure-property relationship governing morphological direction toward 2D materials. Through systematic synthetic and characterization studies, we demonstrate that precise control over key architectural parameters in linear-bottlebrush block copolymer system, establishing design rules that correlate bottlebrush side-chain density, backbone rigidity, and block composition with the propensity for discoidal assembly. Furthermore, we explore co-assembly strategies involving multiple polymer architectures, revealing pathways to hierarchical and hybrid nanostructures that expand the accessible morphological space beyond conventional block copolymer phase behaviour. The mechanistic insights developed herein advance fundamental understanding of how macromolecular architecture influences self-assembly processes, with practical synthetic strategies toward well-defined anisotropic nanoparticles.  These contributions have direct implications for the development of next-generation soft materials with tailored transport, mechanical, and interfacial properties.

Bio
Simran is a PhD student in the Polymer Nanostructures Group under the supervision of A/Prof Markus Müllner. She graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Advanced (Honours) from Monash University in 2021. During her Honours year, she worked at the Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science (MIPS) on novel functionalised poly(2-oxazolines) based nanoparticles for drug delivery. Her interest in polymer chemistry led her to The University of Sydney, where she now works on the synthesis and self-assembly of bottlebrush-based asymmetric block copolymers.