Bicontinuous Ion-Exchange Materials through Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation

Abstract

Polymerization-induced microphase separation has been used to prepare solid cross-linked monoliths containing bicontinuous and nanostructured polymer domains. We use this process to fabricate a monolith containing either a negatively or positively charged polyelectrolyte domain inside of the neutral styrene/divinylbenzene-derived matrix. First, the materials are made with a neutral pre-ionic polymer containing masked charged groups. The monoliths are then functionalized to a charged state by treatment with trimethylamine; small-angle X-ray scattering shows no significant morphological change in the microphase-separated structure upon postpolymerization modification. By exchanging dyes with the counterions in the material, we corroborated the continuity of the charged domains. Using ion-exchange capacity measurements, we estimate the number of accessible charges within the material based on macro-chain transfer agent molar mass and loading.

Cartilage-Inspired Hydrogel with Mechanical Adaptability, Controllable Lubrication, and Inflammation Regulation Abilities

“…During the process of polymerization, inelastic collision induces nano-objective adhesion, the aggregates fuse together and grows into hydrogel (Scheme S1). Figure c shows that the pore sizes of PAA and PSPMK hydrogels is uniform, whereas microphase separation is observed in the cocontinuous porous structures in the “CS” hydrogel without any boundary, likely because of the polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS). , The sizes of nano- and microscale pores are approximately 546.15 nm and 3.52 μm, respectively (Figure S2). In addition, nano- and micropores are alternately distributed, appearing as lamellar structures.…”

Nanostructure Control in 3D Printed Materials

“…Indeed, PIMS performed with low concentrations of macroCTA typically exhibit poor phase separation and discontinuity in the macroCTA domains. [ 39,51 ]…”

“…Indeed, PIMS performed with low concentrations of macroCTA typically exhibit poor phase separation and discontinuity in the macroCTA domains. [39,51] Increasing the weight percentage of PBA 48 -CTA to 28.2 wt% resulted in the formation of 3D printed materials with a bicontinuous morphology, with nanoscopic percolating domains of PBA and net-P(AA-stat-PEGDA) (Figure 2C). The analysis of AFM phase images revealed the average PBA domain size was 7 nm and the average PBA interdomain distance was 18 nm.…”

Highly Ordered Interconnected 1 nm Pores in Polymers Fabricated from Easily Accessible Gyroid Liquid Crystals

“…The temperature and composition windows of Q phases are usually narrow compared to those of other LLC assemblies because the local deviations of the interfacial curvature from a constant mean value imply that the molecules may adopt unfavorable conformation and packing. , Notably, the limited phase stabilities have presented a significant challenge to their compelling utility as templates to fabricate nanoporous polymers through the well-known strategy of LLC cross-linking. ,− Of particular interest is the fixation of the interconnected aqueous nanopores with sizes of ∼1 nm into the mechanically robust polymers. This length scale, which is usually difficult to be realized by self-assembly of block copolymers, has recently found applications in precise nanofiltration and selective ion transport. − …”