No abstract

Palladium nanoparticles have been successfully incorporated into a porous diblock copolymer template using a novel technique. An ordered bicontinuous double gyroid phase was created from poly(isoprene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine). The poly(isoprene) matrix of this structure was subsequently removed by ozonolysis, creating a high specific surface area material composed of a poly(2-vinylpyridine) double gyroid network texture. Palladium ions were then adsorbed and reduced within the material. Large loadings of the nanoparticles were possible. It was also possible to kinetically control the dimensions (∼5−10 nm) and number density of the nanoparticles. Because of the high porosity and specific surface area of the template, this technique is very promising for high-performance catalysts and other applications.