title: Hierarchical multiscale hyperporous block copolymer membranes via tunable dual-phase separation.
abstract: The rational design and realization of revolutionary porous structures have been long-standing challenges in membrane science. We demonstrate a new class of amphiphilic polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) block copolymer (BCP)-based porous membranes featuring hierarchical multiscale hyperporous structures. The introduction of surface energy-modifying agents and the control of major phase separation parameters (such as nonsolvent polarity and solvent drying time) enable tunable dual-phase separation of BCPs, eventually leading to macro/nanoscale porous structures and chemical functionalities far beyond those accessible with conventional approaches. Application of this BCP membrane to a lithium-ion battery separator affords exceptional improvement in electrochemical performance. The dual-phase separation-driven macro/nanopore construction strategy, owing to its simplicity and tunability, is expected to be readily applicable to a rich variety of membrane fields including molecular separation, water purification, and energy-related devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seungmin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Myoungsoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyungmin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Energy Engineering, School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Soojin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Amphiphilic block copolymer; Dual-phase separation; Hierarchical multiscale hyperporous structure; Porous membrane; Rechargeable batteries