Stars, combs and bottlebrushes of elastic single-chain nanoparticles

Hierarchical self-assembly of structural elements gives rise to superstructures often with outstanding properties when compared individual elements, as first observed in nature. While folding synthetic chains leads discrete single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs) significant interest for a number applications, its full potential utility through integration into well-defined is recently being recognized. Remarkably, SCNPs good solvent resemble randomly branched polymers ideal connectivity theta-solvent or percolating clusters screened excluded-volume interactions. Herein we consider the star, comb and bottlebrush topologies investigate dimensions resulting under different conditions (good solvent, conformations, 1D- 2D-confinement nanopores nanoslits, anchored flat surfaces). A detailed comparison equilibrium conformational composed elastic those equivalent based on linear provided. This analysis reveals effect hierarchical topology superstructure several relevant environments, well how parameters influence location comb-to-bottlebrush transition function grafting density. The degree intra-chain cross-linking arises an additional parameter controlling local global stars, combs bottlebrushes SCNPs.