Poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(hexyl acrylate) Copolymers as Templates for Large Mesopore Sizes─A Detailed Porosity Analysis

Lignin-Derived Mesoporous Carbon for Sodium-Ion Batteries: Block Copolymer Soft Templating and Carbon Microstructure Analysis

“…Hence, for PEO n - b -PHA m polymers, the PHA block determined predominantly the resulting pore diameter, comparing PEO 251 - b -PHA 95 and PEO 214 - b -PHA 322 , featuring similar PEO blocks. 13 As the determination of the hydrodynamic diameter encompasses the micelle core, the micelle corona, and a solvation sphere, it is reasonable to expect systematically smaller resulting pore sizes. These sizes predominantly depend on the micelle core.…”

“…The two-step synthesis was originally reported by Lokupitiya et al 14 According to Wagner et al, 13 PEO-Br as a halide-capped macroinitiator was synthesized by esterification of α-methyl-ω-hydroxy poly(ethylene oxide). In a subsequent supplemental activator reducing agent atom transfer radical polymerization (SARA ATRP), PEO n - b -PHA m copolymers of various block lengths were obtained.…”

“…Details on PEO n - b -PHA m diblock copolymer synthesis can be found in the recent literature. 13 Supporting Information (SI) provides an overview of the used amounts of starting materials to synthesize respective polymers ( Table S1 ) and polymer characterization by 1 H NMR ( Figures S1–S6 ), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) ( Figure S7 ), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) ( Figure S8 ).…”

“… 12 An increased mesopore diameter can be crucial for applications relying on enhanced mass transport, which is otherwise diffusion-limited within micropores or small mesopores. 13 Although research on various block copolymers as soft templates has been carried out for several years, their utilization in large-scale applications is still hindered by often complex and time-consuming synthetic processes. Recent studies by Wagner et al, 13 as well as the initial work by Lokupitiya et al., 14 revealed that PEO n - b -PHA m (poly(ethylene oxide) n - b -poly( n -hexyl acrylate) m with n and m as numbers of the respective repeating units) block copolymers can be suitable templates for various metal oxides creating large mesopores, which is a challenge to be introduced by soft templating without additional pore size swelling agents.…”

“… 13 Although research on various block copolymers as soft templates has been carried out for several years, their utilization in large-scale applications is still hindered by often complex and time-consuming synthetic processes. Recent studies by Wagner et al, 13 as well as the initial work by Lokupitiya et al., 14 revealed that PEO n - b -PHA m (poly(ethylene oxide) n - b -poly( n -hexyl acrylate) m with n and m as numbers of the respective repeating units) block copolymers can be suitable templates for various metal oxides creating large mesopores, which is a challenge to be introduced by soft templating without additional pore size swelling agents. Their synthesis via a supplemental activator reducing agent atom transfer radical polymerization (SARA ATRP) enables facile adjustment of different block chain lengths and is feasible with standard laboratory equipment, which represents a major advantage.…”