A polymer based and template-directed approach towards functional multidimensional micro-structured organic/inorganic hybrid materials

Abstract

The control over structure and function in hierarchically multidimensional materials based on hollow spheres, nanowires, nanorods, nanotubes, fibres, membranes or inverse opals with adjustable dimensions has gained considerable attention due to their tremendous potential for a wide variety of applications. Herein we describe convenient and efficient synthetic concepts for synthesis and processing of welldefined polymer-templated inorganic materials with 0D, 1D, 2D and 3D nano-and microstructures. In the first step, we describe universal methodologies for the controlled build-up of polymer-templated non-functional inorganic structures by taking advantage of lower dimensional structures such as coreshell particles or fibres. With this approach it is possible to obtain more sophisticated architectures such as 3D ordered macroporous (3DOM) materials after applying different procedures for organization, e.g. the powerful melt shear technique as well as novel double-templating strategies towards multidimensional carbon architectures. To prove the feasibility of our protocols established herein we have exemplarily applied these methods to the formation of functional inorganic high-temperature materials, such as silicon carbide (b-SiC) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The general pathways for the controlled build-up of nano-and micro-scaled structures based on polymer templates may thus provide a facile and versatile route to an even wider variety of organic/inorganic composite materials offering a wider range of future applications in the fields of catalysis, separation, sensors, optics, and biomedicine. Herein we show first examples of selected new material morphologies towards energy related issues, namely Li-ion battery applications and heterogeneous catalysis (selective ethanol oxidation).

Compression-Responsive Photonic Crystals Based on Fluorine-Containing Polymers

“…Experimental Section). Compared to previously reported core-shell particle opal films [52], the combination of these components with poly (BzA), with a high refractive index and the fluoropolymer featuring a low refractive index, a sufficient refractive index contrast of (Δneff = 0.19) could be obtained, which should also lead to structural colors with good optical properties. It is worthy to mention that previous studies on elastomeric opal films typically feature an efficient refractive index contrast of Δneff = 0.12 [99].…”

“…The design of fluoropolymers featuring a hierarchical architecture and order is relevant for the development of new applications, for example in the field of functional coatings and photonic materials. Particle-based architectures, such as colloidal crystals with adjustable dimensions have attracted increasing attention due to their potential applications in fields of catalysis, separation technologies, and optical sensors [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52]. Monodisperse colloidal particles feature the intrinsic capability of self-assembling from their dispersion, which allows the formation of photonic crystals.…”

Deep‐Blue Fluorescent Particles via Microwave Heating of Polyacrylonitrile Dispersions

“…Incorporation of itaconic acid can reduce the onset of this thermal event to <200 °C (see Figure S1 in the Supporting Information). Thermal stabilization is well known for the production of carbon fibers and particle‐based carbon materials before subjecting the materials to carbonization at high temperatures (up to 3000 °C) . To convert the PAN particles and reach the necessary temperatures quickly, we apply microwave heating in sealed pressure‐resistant reaction vessels.…”

Smart polymer inverse-opal photonic crystal films by melt-shear organization for hybrid core–shell architectures

“…33,34,[49][50][51][52] Inspired by this work, we now conceived the technique for the novel thermoresponsive silica@PEA@P(DEGMEMA-co-EA) and sili-ca@PMMA@P(NIPAM-co-MMA) hybrid CIS particles to prepare hybrid OPC and polymer IOPC lms by applying melt-shear organization, cross-linking (xlink) and subsequent etching of the silica cores, thus avoiding the inltration stage and the cracking of the lms. 33,34,[49][50][51][52] Inspired by this work, we now conceived the technique for the novel thermoresponsive silica@PEA@P(DEGMEMA-co-EA) and sili-ca@PMMA@P(NIPAM-co-MMA) hybrid CIS particles to prepare hybrid OPC and polymer IOPC lms by applying melt-shear organization, cross-linking (xlink) and subsequent etching of the silica cores, thus avoiding the inltration stage and the cracking of the lms.…”