Abstract
The ability to tune polymer monolith porosity on multiple length scales is desirable for applications in liquid separations, catalysis, and bioengineering. To this end, we have developed a facile synthetic route to nanoporous polymer monoliths based on controlled polymerization of styrene and divinylbenzene from a poly(lactide) macro-chain transfer agent in the presence of nonreactive poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). Simple variations in the volume fraction and/or molar mass of PEO lead to either polymerization-induced microphase separation or simultaneous macro- and microphase separation. These processes dictate the resultant morphology and allow for control of the macro- and microstructure of the monoliths. Subsequent selective etching produces monoliths with morphologies that can be tailored from mesoporous, with control over mesopore size, to hierarchically meso- and macroporous, with percolating macropores. This convenient synthetic route to porous polymer monoliths has the potential to be useful in applications where both rapid mass transport and a high surface area are required.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 8896-8899 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the American Chemical Society |
Volume | 137 |
Issue number | 28 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 22 2015 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2015 American Chemical Society.