title: Highly Selective Vertically Aligned Nanopores in Sustainably Derived Polymer Membranes by Molecular Templating.
abstract: We describe a combination of molecular templating and directed self-assembly to realize highly selective vertically aligned nanopores in polymer membranes using sustainably derived materials. The approach exploits a structure-directing molecule to template the assembly of plant-derived fatty acids into highly ordered columnar mesophases. Directed self-assembly using physical confinement and magnetic fields provides vertical alignment of the columnar nanostructures in large area (several cm2) thin films. Chemically cross-linking the mesophase with added conventional vinyl comonomers and removing the molecular template results in a mechanically robust polymer film with vertically aligned 1.2-1.5 nm diameter nanopores with a large specific surface area of ∼670 m2/g. The nanoporous polymer films display exceptional size and charge selectivity as demonstrated by adsorption experiments using model penetrant molecules. These materials have significant potential to function as high-performance nanofiltration membranes and as nanoporous thin films for high-density lithographic pattern transfer. The scalability of the fabrication process suggests that practical applications can be reasonably anticipated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Xunda
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-4528-0769
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Kohsuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawabata
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Gilad
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Menachem
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4186-1563
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elimelech
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States.
authors.forename: Chinedum O
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0261-3065
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Osuji
keywords: directed self-assembly; liquid crystals; polymer membranes; sustainable polymers; vertically aligned nanopores