Publication Report (The First Publication of Higaki Lab.)

We are pleased to acknowledge that the first article of Higaki Lab. entitled “Lyotropic Morphology Transition of Double Zwitterionic Diblock Copolymers in Concentrated Aqueous Solutions” has been published in Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics, a science journal of John Wiley & Sons, on 15th January 2021 (online). This journal has a long history, where founded in 1943 by Hermann Staudinger, who received the Nobel Prize in 1953 for his pioneering work in proving the existence of macromolecules.

We unraveled that nanoscale ordered morphologies are spontaneously produced in aqueous solutions of double zwitterionic block copolymers depending on the polymer concentration, and the morphology transition is induced by the preferential distribution of water. The volume fraction modulation causes the instability of phase boundary curvature urging the morphology transition. We expect that the precise ordered nanostructure control of the highly biocompatible double zwitterionic block copolymers is valid for responsive biocompatible molecular design in biomaterials. Masaya mainly handled the research project, lyotropic morphology transition of double hydrophilic block copolymers. I guess it was hard work for him to learn the principles and protocols of SAXS without any support from senior students. He would had struggled with my poor coaching. Akane also contributed to the project in the synthesis of double zwitterionic block copolymers through RAFT polymerization. We launched chemical laboratory from an empty room and achieved chemical synthesis and controlled radical polymerization. It took approximately two years to publish our first article, while I am pleased with the quality of this paper. This is a small step in human science, but exactly a giant step for us. I would like to keep research activity and hope to continue to produce publications.

I sincerely appreciate all coauthors, especially the kind support of Prof. Yusa. I hope to share pleasure with all laboratory members who are involved in this project through daily discussion and laboratory management.