Uniaxially Aligned Nanoporous Polymer Films Synthesized through Molecular Self-assembly

A study conducted by Norihiro Mizoshita was published in the Chemistry of Materials.

Nanoporous polymer films have potentials for a variety of applications, including adsorbents, optical films, and filters. However, the long-range alignment of nanoporous structures requires high energy input, such as long-term heat treatment or application of strong electric/magnetic fields, the use of special molecular components, and advanced processing techniques.

In this study, a mesomorphic mixture consisting of a self-assembling low molecular weight compound and divinylbenzene was found to exhibit a structural transition from a homogeneous liquid crystal to a heterogeneous gel state. This mesomorphic mixture enabled the preparation of horizontally- and vertically aligned nanoporous polymer films via shear-induced and electric-field-induced alignment of a liquid crystal phase, photopolymerization of divinylbenzene, and removal of the self-assembling molecule. The use of self-assembled molecular additives provides a new approach to controlling the nanostructures and improving the optical and electrical properties and functionalities of conventional polymeric materials and composites.

Title: Preparation of Uniaxially Aligned Nanoporous Polymer Films via Photopolymerization Using Self-assembling Molecular Templates
Authors: Mizoshita, N.
Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials
Published: January 28, 2025
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c03295