The Promise of Soft‐Matter‐Enabled Quantum Materials

Abstract

The field of quantum materials has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, driven by exciting new discoveries with immense transformative potential. Traditional synthetic methods to quantum materials have, however, limited the exploration of architectural control beyond the atomic scale. By contrast, soft matter self‐assembly can be used to tailor material structure over a large range of length scales, with a vast array of possible form factors, promising emerging quantum material properties at the mesoscale. This review explores opportunities for soft matter science to impact the synthesis of quantum materials with advanced properties. Existing work at the interface of these two fields is highlighted, and perspectives are provided on possible future directions by discussing the potential benefits and challenges which can arise from their bridging.

Phase Behavior of Binary Blends of Diblock Copolymers: Progress and Opportunities

“…Understanding the principles governing the formation of different ordered phases from polymeric systems containing block copolymers has been an active research topic in polymer science for the past several decades . Besides providing a platform for studying fundamental principles of self-assembly, block copolymers have found applications in a wide range of technologies such as lithography, − photonics, − and soft-matter enabled quantum materials …”

“…1 Besides providing a platform for studying fundamental principles of self-assembly, block copolymers have found applications in a wide range of technologies such as lithography, 5−8 photonics, 9−13 and soft-matter enabled quantum materials. 14 An extensively studied system of block copolymers is monodisperse AB diblock copolymers composed of the simplest block copolymer obtained by covalently linking two homopolymers, A and B, through their ends. Due to the tremendous efforts by experimenters and theorists over the past several decades, the phase behavior of AB diblock copolymers is well understood.…”

Regulating the self‐assembly of AB/CD diblock copolymer blends via secondary interactions

“…2 Block copolymers alleviate this frustration by microphase separation into polymeric domains, which in turn pack to form ordered structures at 10-100 nanometer scale. 3,4 The spontaneous emergence of long-range ordered structures in block copolymers not only leads to potential technological applications, [5][6][7][8][9] but also offers an ideal platform to study the spontaneous emergence of structured matter.…”

Optical Readout of the Mechanical Properties of Silica Mesoporous Thin Films Using Plasmonic Nanoantennas

“…This scenario requires nanomaterials with sufficient mechanical integrity to withstand the devices’ manufacturing and integration processes, as well as durability and good adhesion in in-operando conditions. Template-assisted self-assembly, a settled strategy for fabricating ordered porous thin films, is recognized as a breakthrough in material nanoengineering. , Nanoporous materials built with this technique exhibit a very high surface area, controlled thickness, and accessible porosity, enabling applications in catalysis, optical sensors, , photovoltaic devices, microfluidics, microelectronics , and quantum materials . Furthermore, recent investigations into the acoustic response (hypersound) of nanoporous oxides in the GHz range , have opened the doors to applications in the fields of acoustic and optomechanical nanodevices.…”

“…1,2 Nanoporous materials built with this technique exhibit a very high surface area, controlled thickness, and accessible porosity, enabling applications in catalysis, 3 optical sensors, 4,5 photovoltaic devices, 6 microfluidics, 7 microelectronics 8,9 and quantum materials. 10 Furthermore, recent investigations into the acoustic response (hypersound) of nanoporous oxides in the GHz range 11,12 have opened the doors to applications in the fields of acoustic and optomechanical nanodevices.…”