Hierarchical Porous Polymer Scaffolds from Block Copolymers

作者：Hiroaki Sai, Kwan Wee Tan, Kahyun Hur, Emily Asenath‐Smith, Robert Hovden, Yi Jiang, Mark L. Riccio, David A. Muller, Veit Elser, Lara A. Estroff, Sol M. Grüner, Ulrich Wiesner · 发表于：Science · 年份：2013 · DOI：10.1126/science.1238159 · 被引用次数：289 · 研究领域：Block Copolymer Self-Assembly、Nanomaterials for catalytic reactions、Covalent Organic Framework Applications

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.