Abstract
This review focuses on the application of triblock copolymers as designed templates to synthesize nanoporous materials with various compositions. Asymmetric triblock copolymers have several advantages compared with symmetric triblock copolymers and diblock copolymers, because the presence of three distinct domains can provide more functional features to direct the resultant nanoporous materials. Here we clearly describe significant contributions of asymmetric triblock copolymers, especially polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (abbreviated as PS-b-P2VP-b-PEO).
Highlights
Many synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of nanoporous inorganic materials with well-controlled shapes and pore sizes
This review focuses on the application of triblock copolymers as designed templates to synthesize nanoporous materials with various compositions
Asymmetric triblock copolymers have several advantages compared with symmetric triblock copolymers and diblock copolymers, because the presence of three distinct domains can provide more functional features to direct the resultant nanoporous materials
Summary
Many synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of nanoporous inorganic materials with well-controlled shapes and pore sizes. Cationic surfactants (e.g., alkyl trimethylammonium, CnTMA), pluronic-type triblock copolymers, and other high molecular weight diblock copolymers (e.g., polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide, PS-b-PEO) have been often used as templates. High molecular weight diblock copolymers (e.g., PS-b-PEO) enable to increase pore size larger than 20 nm without any additives. Cationic surfactants (e.g., CnTMA), low molecular weight block copolymers (e.g., P123, F127), and high molecular weight diblock copolymers (e.g., PS-b-PEO) have been utilized to control the resultant pore sizes in a wide range. It has been known that the hydrophilic blocks of micelles (e.g., PEO block) serve as reservoirs of inorganic precursors. When the inorganic precursors are adsorbed onto/into the hydrophilic blocks, micelles sometimes become unstable, leading to deformation of micelles and their subsequent aggregations
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