Phase separation of composite materials through simultaneous polymerization and crystallization

Abstract

Composite materials have attracted much interest because of the emergent properties originating from the components. A variety of methods have been studied to control the morphology of composites based on noncrystalline polymers and crystalline materials. However, it is not easy to control complex morphologies, such as segregated sea-island structures, on the submicrometer scale. Polymerization induces crystallization, because supersaturation, which is required for crystallization, is achieved by the consumption of the monomer. Here we report a phase-separation approach based on simultaneous polymerization and crystallization as a new method for the morphological control of composite materials. Segregated polymer and organic crystal domains are obtained by polymerization of an organic monomer solution accompanied by simultaneous crystallization. The phase separation induced the generation of composite materials consisting of a redox-active quinone crystal and conductive polymer with a segregated structure on the submicrometer scale. The segregated composite of 2,3-dichloro-1,4-naphthoquinone and polypyrrole showed enhanced charge-storage properties based on the smooth redox reaction. The present phase-separation approach can be applied to a variety of functional segregated composite materials consisting of crystalline and polymer materials.

Molecular self‐assembly and morphology induction in high‐performance aromatic phosphonated block copolymers

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In this regard block copolymers with an ability to phase separate due to their dissimilar chemical contents can resolve the issue of having a controlled morphology. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In these materials, a strong repulsion between two unlike segments of block copolymer may usually result in microphase separation leading to columnar, lamellar, bicontinuous, and gyroid types of morphologies. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In the bulk, the phase separation between different chemically immiscible blocks and the chemical bonds constraints govern the formation of ordered domains.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In these materials, a strong repulsion between two unlike segments of block copolymer may usually result in microphase separation leading to columnar, lamellar, bicontinuous, and gyroid types of morphologies. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In the bulk, the phase separation between different chemically immiscible blocks and the chemical bonds constraints govern the formation of ordered domains. Recently, a new phase-separation 5,6 approach based on simultaneous polymerization and crystallization as a new method for the morphological control of composite materials has been reported.…”

“…[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In the bulk, the phase separation between different chemically immiscible blocks and the chemical bonds constraints govern the formation of ordered domains. Recently, a new phase-separation 5,6 approach based on simultaneous polymerization and crystallization as a new method for the morphological control of composite materials has been reported. Here crystal domains were obtained by polymerization of an organic monomer solution accompanied by simultaneous crystallization.…”

Multistage redox reactions of conductive-polymer nanostructures with lithium ions: potential for high-performance organic anodes

“…The theoretical capacity is determined by the doping level, such as 136 mAh g -1 for polypyrrole (PPy) with a maximum 33 mol% anion doping and 82 mAh g -1 for polythiophene (PTp) with 25 mol% anion doping 13,16,19,21 . The improved electrochemical properties were achieved by the design of the molecules and morphologies 17,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] . Our group reported new methods for the simultaneous synthesis and morphology control of conductive polymers using solid-state oxidant crystals [24][25][26][27][28] .…”

“…The improved electrochemical properties were achieved by the design of the molecules and morphologies 17,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] . Our group reported new methods for the simultaneous synthesis and morphology control of conductive polymers using solid-state oxidant crystals [24][25][26][27][28] . In contrast, the electrochemical redox reactions of conductive polymers with doping and dedoping of cations (n doping) have not been fully studied for charge storage applications (Fig.…”