Self-assembly of ABCBA Linear Pentablock Terpolymers

The multiblock copolymers, which exhibit more complex block composition and sequences than those of di- or tri-block copolymers, have attracted more and more scientific interest and attention in the past years. The ABCBA linear pentablock terpolymer with block number of 5 is a representative model and starting point for investigating the self-assembly of multiblock copolymers, which is helpful for understanding the assembled structures and solution properties of biomacromolecules with complex sequence structures. Compared with AB diblock copolymers and ABC triblock terpolymers, the ABCBA pentablock terpolymers have more intricate morphologies and have better mechanical properties with similar morphologies. This review will mainly focus on ABCBA linear pentablock terpolymers and systematically summary the recent research progress in self-assembly of ABCBA linear pentablock terpolymers in bulk and solution as well as their potential applications in various technical fields including drug carriers, surface coatings, inorganic material templates, battery materials, and polymer gel.