Novel Nanostructured Hydroxyl-Paracyclophane Thin Films

Abstract

We have recently developed nanostructured polymer thin films (STFs) that are hierarchical and spatially organized. STFs were prepared from hydroxyl-paracyclophane precursors for depositing ordered nanoporous materials. STFs offer the possibility of fabricating polymer films exhibiting tunable porosity by systematically varying and controlling both the surface chemistry and topology. The strength of our technology is the ability to control surface topology, chemistry and film morphology at the same time. Functionalized STF materials provide many technological advantages such as the controlled delivery of drugs, encapsulation of enzymes, and tissue engineering substrates of specific cells.