Hierarchical porous polymer materials are of increasing importance because of their potential application in catalysis, separation technology, or bioengineering. Examples for their synthesis exist, but there is a need for a facile yet versatile conceptual approach to such hierarchical scaffolds and quantitative characterization of their nonperiodic pore systems. Here, we introduce a synthesis method combining well-established concepts of macroscale spinodal decomposition and nanoscale block copolymer self-assembly with porosity formation on both length scales via rinsing with protic solvents. We used scanning electron microscopy, small-angle x-ray scattering, transmission electron tomography, and nanoscale x-ray computed tomography for quantitative pore-structure characterization. The method was demonstrated for AB- and ABC-type block copolymers, and resulting materials were used as scaffolds for calcite crystal growth.
CITATION STYLE
Sai, H., Tan, K. W., Hur, K., Asenath-Smith, E., Hovden, R., Jiang, Y., … Wiesner, U. (2013). Hierarchical porous polymer scaffolds from block copolymers. Science, 341(6145), 530–534. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1238159
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