Coupled Effects of Domain Structure and Surface Affinity on Block Copolymer Transport in Nanopores

The motion of polymers under nanoscale confinement governs key processes in nanocomposite fabrication, membrane design, and polymer upcycling. Yet, how the internal nanostructure of block copolymers influences their transport through confined spaces remains poorly understood. We find that their motion through nanopores is strongly influenced by the interplay between nanoscale domain configuration and polymer–surface affinity. Simply changing which block faces the interface dramatically alters infiltration kinetics, showing that interfacial structure controls how polymer chains organize and migrate under confinement. Combined experiments and molecular simulations reveal how nanoscale ordering and adsorption cooperatively shape transport pathways, providing new strategies for designing high-loading composites, selective membranes, and sustainable polymer materials.