title: Hierarchical porous polymer scaffolds from block copolymers.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sai
authors.forename: Kwan Wee
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Kahyun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Asenath-Smith
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hovden
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Elser
authors.forename: Lara A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Estroff
authors.forename: Sol M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Gruner
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wiesner