A procedure for the fabrication of nano-structured micropatterns by direct UV photo-patterning of a monolayer of a self-assembled block copolymer/transition metal hybrid structure is described. The method exploits the selective photochemical modification of a self-assembled monolayer of hexagonally ordered block copolymer micelles loaded with a metal precursor salt. Solvent development of the monolayer after irradiation results in the desired pattern of micelles on the surface. Subsequent plasma treatment of the pattern leaves ordered metal nanodots. The presented technique is a simple and low-cost combination of ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ approaches that allows decoration of large areas with periodic and aperiodic patterns of nano-objects, with good control over two different length scales: nano- and micrometres.

The synthesis of 2,3,4-tris(11‘-methacryloylundecyl-1‘-oxy)benzenesulfonic acid and its sodium salt is described. The thermal behavior of the compounds was investigated by a combination of polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The sodium salt forms a hexagonal columnar disordered phase (Colhd), whereas the acid is a crystalline compound. X-ray scattering analysis and force-field-based molecular modeling provided insight into the molecular arrangement in the mesophase. The sulfonate groups are confined in the center of the columns, preforming a potential ion-transport channel along the column axis. Thin films of the sodium sulfonate were photopolymerized in the mesomorphous state, yielding free-standing foils with embedded potential ion channels.

A new spectroscopic cell has been designed for studying model catalysts using in situ or operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The setup allows gas treatment and can be used between 100 and 870 K. Pressures from 10(-3) Pa up to 300 kPa can be applied. Measurements on model systems in this particular pressure range are a valuable extension of the commonly used UHV characterization techniques. Using this setup, we were able to analyze the Au L3 EXAFS of a silica wafer covered with sub-monolayer concentrations of gold (0.05 ML). By modifying the sample holder, powder catalysts can also be analyzed under plug-flow conditions. As an example, the reduction of a Au/SiO2 powder catalyst prepared from HAuCl4 was followed.

Summary: Novel carboxy (COOH)‐functionalized mesoporous polystyrene membranes were prepared from polystyrene‐block‐poly(D,L‐lactide) (PS‐b‐PLA) diblock copolymers through the selective degradation of the PLA block. The combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) techniques enabled the synthesis of nanostructured diblock copolymers possessing carboxylic acid functionality at the junction between both blocks. Such copolymers were subjected to shear flow through the use of a channel die to align their nanodomains. Under mild alkaline conditions, the quantitative hydrolysis of the polyester nanodomains afforded mesoporous materials with COOH‐coated pore walls. The PS‐b‐PLA precursors as well as the resulting porous systems were carefully analyzed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), 1H NMR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and two‐dimensional small‐angle X‐ray scattering (2‐D SAXS). Moreover, the specific surface area and pore size distribution were determined by nitrogen sorption porosimetry.