Diblock Copolymer Templated Nanohybrid Thin Films of Highly Ordered TiO₂ Nanoparticle Arrays in PMMA Matrix

Abstract

Solvent modification with a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and water in a proportional volume ratio of 50% has been employed to enable poly(methylmethacrylate)-b-polyethylene oxide diblock copolymer to be used as a template for preparing nanohybrid thin films containing highly ordered arrays of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles. With control of the processing parameters involved in the block copolymer templating, nanoarrays consisting of nanocrystalline TiO 2 particles were successfully assembled in the hexagonal-like or cubical-like hierarchical structures, as revealed by TEM studies. The phases and chemical nature of the titania nanoparticles have been confirmed by Raman and XPS spectroscopies. A significant enhancement in nanocrystallinity of the TiO 2 phase in the nanohybrid thin films was achieved by the application of an appropriate hydrothermal treatment in high-pressure water vapor at 150 °C. The nanocrystallinity strongly affects the UV absorbance and photoluminescence emission of the nanohybrid thin films.

Block copolymer-templated synthesis of highly organized mesoporous TiO2-based films and their photoelectrochemical applications

“…Recently, a variety of PEO-based diblock copolymers has been developed for the preparation of mesoporous TiO 2 films, such as commercially available PS-b-PEO [31][32][33][34][35], PI-b-PEO [36,37], PMMA-b-PEO [38], and some lab-made diblock copolymers, such as PHB-b-PEO (KLE) [39][40][41] and PIB-b-PEO [42].…”

Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization from TiO2 nanoparticles

“…The unique properties of nanomaterials are considered to come from their small size and large specific surface area. It has been well recognized that these materials are essential to fundamental studies in nanotechnology, and successfully applied in the areas of catalysis [4], electrochemistry [5], and photoluminescence [6]. Therefore, much effort has been devoted to the development of functional nanoparticles, with a view toward new opportunities for constructing functional nanostructures.…”

Peptization–Hydrothermal Method as a Surfactant‐Free Process toward Nanorod‐Like Anatase TiO2Nanocrystals

“…[12] Yuwono et al improved the TiO 2 crystallinity in the nanohybrid thin films through the hydrothermal treatment in high-pressure water vapor at 150°C. [13] Andersson et al synthesized TiO 2 nanoparticles of both anatase and rutile phases by hydrothermal treatment of microemulsions. [14] Kolen'ko et al investigated a formation process of TiO 2 nanorods starting from the titanate fibers during hydrothermal synthesis.…”