Multicomponent Nanomaterials with Complex Networked Architectures from Orthogonal Degradation and Binary Metal Backfilling in ABC Triblock Terpolymers

Abstract

Selective degradation of block copolymer templates and backfilling the open mesopores is an effective strategy for the synthesis of nanostructured hybrid and inorganic materials. Incorporation of more than one type of inorganic material in orthogonal ways enables the synthesis of multicomponent nanomaterials with complex yet well-controlled architectures; however, developments in this field have been limited by the availability of appropriate orthogonally degradable block copolymers for use as templates. We report the synthesis and self-assembly into cocontinuous network structures of polyisoprene-block-polystyrene-block-poly(propylene carbonate) where the polyisoprene and poly(propylene carbonate) blocks can be orthogonally removed from the polymer film. Through sequential block etching and backfilling the resulting mesopores with different metals, we demonstrate first steps toward the preparation of three-component polymer–inorganic hybrid materials with two distinct metal networks. Multiblock copolymers in which two blocks can be degraded and backfilled independently of each other, without interference from the other, may be used in a wide range of applications requiring periodically ordered complex multicomponent nanoarchitectures.

Nanomaterial datasets to advance tomography in scanning transmission electron microscopy

“…Electron tomography attempts to reconstruct 3D objects from 2D projection images taken at different viewing angles, or tilts-producing the entire internal structure of a specimen or region of interest. Since the first 3D reconstruction from electron micrographs 1 , tomography with the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) has been widely applied to nanoscale materials [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] . Utilizing the sub-angstrom 2D resolution of modern STEM, 3D reconstructions with sub-nanometre and even atomic detail have been demonstrated [13][14][15][16] .…”

Oxygen‐Triggered Switchable Polymerization for the One‐Pot Synthesis of CO2‐Based Block Copolymers from Monomer Mixtures

“…[8] However,t he possibility of switching the polymerization mechanism gives access to block copolymers with mechanistically incompatible monomers,t herefore providing facile access to aw ider array of high-value-added nanomaterials with attractive phase-separation behavior. [11] In this context, we recently reported aonestep route to CO 2 -based block copolymers with tailorable functionalities and compositions by concurrent reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of conjugated vinyl monomers and ROCOP of CO 2 / epoxides using ab ifunctional chain-transfer approach. [12] However,n ew methods need to be developed to further expand the structural diversity of CO 2 -based block copolymers.…”

Fit-for-purpose block polymer membranes molecularly engineered for water treatment

“…113,115 Additionally, the block polymer membranes can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of nanoporous metal, metal oxide, and carbon films with welldefined nanostructures. [116][117][118][119][120][121] The electronic and catalytic properties of these films could be useful in flow-through membrane reactors targeting the degradation of organic micropollutants and viral inactivation. This approach of adding desired chemical functionalities into a pre-formed membrane material allows for the incorporation of a range of chemistries with tunable properties.…”