Development Of Functional Materials Research Articles

Regulating N-doping strategies to construct 3D interconnected abundant porous N-doped carbon for polarization loss-enhanced microwave absorbers: Theory, design, and experiments

The widespread proliferation of modern portable electronic devices has necessitated the development of functional materials with high-efficiency microwave absorption properties. In this study, we utilized biomass-derived jujube shells as a carbon source and employed a nitrogen-doping process to modify carbon materials, resulting in the fabrication of outstanding microwave-absorbing biomass-based nitrogen-doped porous carbon. Additionally, we discussed the influence of different nitrogen sources on material structure and microwave absorption performance. These N-doped porous carbon materials exhibited excellent specific surface areas, particularly Org-N, which facilitated the formation of conductive networks and the multi-stage reflection and scattering of microwave. Moreover, N-doping created numerous defect sites and heterogeneous structures, improving impedance matching, thus promoting dipole polarization and interface polarization effects, which accelerated electron migration and interlayer hopping, contributing to the attenuation of microwave energy. The lowest reflection loss for Org-N, Inorg-N, and Mixed-N reached −27.3 dB, −40.9 dB, and −45.6 dB, respectively. Mixed-N exhibited optimal microwave absorption performance at 9.9 GHz with d = 2.4 mm and achieved an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB10) of 3.0 GHz (11.0 GHz–14.0 GHz) at d = 2.0 mm. Additionally, the enhancement of polarization relaxation effects was elucidated by examining the charge density distribution in molecular models featuring various N-doping forms. Consequently, biomass-derived N-doped porous carbon materials emerge as lightweight and highly efficient functional materials for microwave absorption purposes.

Characteristics and Absorption Rate of Whey Protein Hydrolysates Prepared Using Flavourzyme after Treatment with Alcalase and Protamex.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of whey protein hydrolysate and determine changes in absorption rate due to enzymatic hydrolysis. The molecular weight distribution analysis of whey protein concentrate (WPC) and low-molecule whey protein hydrolysate (LMWPH) using the Superdex G-75 column revealed that LMWPH is composed of peptides smaller than those in WPC. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated differences in peak positions between WPC and LMWPH, suggesting hydrolysis-mediated changes in secondary structures. Moreover, LMWPH exhibited higher thermal stability and faster intestinal permeation than WPC. Additionally, oral LMWPH administration increased serum protein content at 20 min, whereas WPC gradually increased serum protein content after 40 min. Although the total amount of WPC and LMWPH absorption was similar, LMWPH absorption rate was higher. Collectively, LMWPH, a hydrolysate of WPC, has distinct physicochemical properties and enhanced absorptive characteristics. Taken together, LMWPH is composed of low-molecular-weight peptides with low antigenicity and has improved absorption compared to WPC. Therefore, LMWPH can be used as a protein source with high bioavailability in the development of functional materials.

Design and Application of Novel Sterically Hindered Phosphonium Salts in the Development of Functional Materials

Design and Application of Novel Sterically Hindered Phosphonium Salts in the Development of Functional Materials

Interdisciplinary Workshop 2023 for Young Scientists in Mahdia, Tunisia

AbstractSupported by the GDCh, young scientists met for the tenth time in an Arab country at an Interdisciplinary Workshop on October 4th, 2023. The event took place in advance of the Humboldt Kolleg „Functional Material Development for New World“ in Mahdia, Tunisia (October 5–7, 2023). These workshop series had been initiated in 2009 by Helmut Ringsdorf, Henning Hopf and Hans‐Heinrich Limbach.

Synthesis and Characterization of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Block Copolymers Containing Cyano-Terminated Phenyl Benzoate Moieties

Block copolymers, known for their capacity to undergo microphase separation, spontaneously yield various periodic nanostructures. These precisely controlled nanostructures have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in microfabrication templates, conducting films, filter membranes, and other areas. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that microphase-separated structures typically exhibit random alignment, making alignment control a pivotal factor in functional material development. To address this challenge, researchers have explored the use of block copolymers containing liquid-crystalline (LC) polymers, which offer a promising technique for alignment control. The molecular structure and LC behavior of these polymers significantly impact the morphology and alignment of microphase-separated structures. In this study, we synthesized LC diblock copolymers with cyano-terminated phenyl benzoate moieties and evaluated the microphase-separated structures and molecular alignment behaviors. The LC diblock copolymers with a narrow molecular weight distribution were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Small angle X-ray scattering measurements revealed that the block copolymers exhibit smectic LC phases and form cylinder structures with a lattice period of about 18 nm by microphase separation. The examination of block copolymer films using polarized optical microscopy and polarized UV-visible absorption spectroscopy corroborated that the LC moieties were uniaxially aligned along the alignment treatment direction.

Entropy‐Mediated Nanoparticle Cellular Uptake

Entropy, as one of the key parameters defining thermodynamic systems, is extensively explored in various scientific fields covering physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Particularly, understanding the entropic effects in cellular uptake is critical to understanding how physicochemical interactions govern the structure, response, and function of biological systems. Herein, the major types of entropy in biological systems, the underlying physical principles of their entropic forces, as well as the entropic effects emerging at the interfaces between nanoparticles and cell membrane in diverse biological processes, are introduced. The emphasis is on the physical principles arisen from entropy in the cellular uptake process. Finally, the remaining challenges and future directions for understanding and thereby manipulating entropy‐meditated nanoparticle cellular uptake are discussed. It is hoped that this review can explain some complicated and/or unique phenomena observed during cellular uptake, elucidate the physical mechanisms underlying their structures and dynamical processes, and advance entropy‐controlled strategy in the design and development of novel functional systems and materials toward advantageous biomedical applications.

Rapid oxidation and deep As(III) purification from water using gelatin-supported iron-based metal-organic framework aerogel coupled with H2O2: Preparation, performance and mechanism

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered a reliable adsorbent for controlling arsenic contamination. However, developing rapid and efficient MOF adsorbents with the capability of easy recovery is still challenging. Herein, we prepared a three-dimensional porous MIL-88A-Fe/gelatin aerogel (PMGA) with macroscopic size and coupled it with H2O2 to fabricate a heterogeneous catalytic oxidation adsorption system to remove As(III) in water. The green synthesis strategy of this catalyst by foaming and low-temperature carbonization not only avoided the use of toxic chemical crosslinkers but also endowed PMGA with a rich hierarchical porous structure and exposed more active sites. Thus, the PMGA/H2O2 system was able to reduce the concentration of As(III) from 1106 to below 10 µg/L and simultaneously realize the complete oxidation of As(III) to As(V) in only 120 min. Meanwhile, the system exhibited an excellent saturation adsorption capacity (24.863 mg/g) for As(III), superior to most similar bio-based or iron-based materials. Quenching experiments, EPR and DFT calculations showed that the active species (surface •OOH and surface •OH) generated by the Fenton-like interaction between the exposed (100) facet of MIL-88A-Fe in PMGA and H2O2 played an essential role in promoting the oxidative removal of As(III). Moreover, the reaction system could work efficiently for As(III) in a wide pH range and was hardly affected by other substances such as chlorides, sulfates, carbonates, silicates, and humic acids. Simultaneously, the fixed bed column filled with PMGA could stably and continuously treat As(III) in groundwater. Therefore, this study not only broadens the horizon for the development and design of 3D functional materials but also provides a new strategy in water purification to eliminate arsenic pollutants using Fe-MOF aerogels.

Particle synthesis based on the concerted effect of mixed acid-base functional groups for electrophoretic display

The development of fast-response and full-color Electrophoretic Displays (EPDs) requires both rapid migration of electrophoretic particles and adjustable mobility of particles with different colors in apolar media, which is determined by the charged properties of the particle surface. Herein, five electrophoretic particles were synthesized with different ratios of acidic and basic functional groups to explore the impact of mixed functional groups on the effective pH of the particle surface. The prepared particles were characterized by FTIR, TGA and zeta potential measurements. The results show that the effective acidity of TiO2-NH2-COOH particles, which contain both acidic and basic functional groups, was higher than that of TiO2-COOH-COOH particles containing a single functional group. The surface charge of the electrophoretic particles increased from − 43 mV to − 90 mV. Similarly, TiO2-COOH-NH2 particles had a higher surface charge than TiO2-NH2-NH2 particles. The effective pH value of the particle surface depends on the synergism of mixed acid-base functional groups. The appropriate amounts of basic (or acidic) functional groups promote the acid-base interaction between acidic (or alkaline) functional groups and surfactant molecules, leading to an increase in the charge value of the particles. Thus, the effective acid-base of the particles can be precisely controlled by adjusting the mixing ratio of acid-base functional groups during particle modification. The application of electrophoretic particles with mixed acid-base functional groups was also demonstrated in two-color and three-color electrophoretic inks, achieving fast response (switching time decreased from 1170 ms to 130 ms) and colored display. This work may help to enhance the comprehension of the interaction mechanism between acid-base groups and particle-reverse micelle interfaces in non-polar solvents. Additionally, it may contribute to the precise modulation of the effective pH value on the particle surface, thereby facilitating the development of advanced functional materials.

Dynamic coassembly of nanodiamonds and block copolymers in organic solvents

Nonaqueous suspensions of nanoparticles have potential value in a wide range of applications, from coatings to environmental remediation. However, organic solvents often lead to nanoparticle agglomeration, and few methods developed to counteract this phenomenon. We present a novel approach to achieve stable nanoparticle suspensions in both nonpolar and polar aprotic solvents. Our method utilizes nanodiamonds (NDs) as a model system, due to the rich nature of their surface chemistry. This technique involves three key steps: (1) ultrasonication of air-oxidized NDs (OXNDs) in dimethylacetamide (DMAc), (2) the introduction of amphiphilic dispersants primarily composed of PVA-b-PMMA block copolymers (BCPs), and (3) exchanging DMAc with organic solvents to promote composite micelle formation, where BCP forms the micelle corona encapsulating OXND as the micelle core. Our method yields stable suspensions with particle sizes strongly influenced by thermokinetic interactions between OXND, BCP, and the solvent. Dynamic light scattering measurements of OXND–PVA-b-PMMA suspensions demonstrate that stabilization in toluene is governed by steric hindrance, while in THF or CHCl3 both electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance contribute to particle stabilization. Characterization through electron microscopy and AFM reveals the efficacy of our coassembly method for producing uniformly-sized composite micelles. We identify a critical BCP:OXND weight ratio, analogous to the critical micelle concentration in surfactant-stabilized suspensions, crucial for effective particle stabilization. By analyzing the evolution of particle size distribution with varying solvent composition, we propose a dynamic coassembly mechanism between OXND and BCP, wherein OXND particles and encapsulating BCP chains dynamically rearrange to reach an equilibrium structure as the thermodynamic quantities of the surrounding medium change. Furthermore, BCP micellization is shown to play a vital role in preventing OXND aggregation during solvent exchange, resulting in uniformly sized particles. This enhanced understanding of the OXND–BCP coassembly mechanism in organic solvents holds promise for the development of novel functional materials. Our study provides insights into fabricating stable nanoparticle suspensions with diverse applications to coatings, lubricants, drug delivery, nanocomposite materials, biosensing, medical imaging, and environmental remediation.

Fabrication of ZnS/g‐C3N4/Gypsum Plaster Nanocomposite Toward Refining Electromagnetic Pollution and Saving Energy

Global concerns have been excited by burgeoning electromagnetic pollution and climate change. Paying attention to building materials is one of the best ways to refine electromagnetic pollution and save energy. Herein, a practical nanocomposite has been introduced that not only absorbs microwaves, but also plays a significant role in energy‐saving. Interestingly, the approach related to the selection of a simple experimental procedure, cost‐effective substrates, and building matrix develops the practical applications of the eventual product. Initially, graphite‐like carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) nanosheets are tailored using a conventional sintering route, and then the prepared nanosheets are ornamented by zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles through a facile hydrothermal scenario. Remarkably, the microwave and optical features of the tailored ZnS/g‐C3N4 nanocomposite are modulated by regulating the mass fraction of ZnS into 2D structures. Interestingly, a novel defecting agent is used to boost the dielectric characteristics of g‐C3N4 through an innovative complementary hydrothermal and combustion scenario. Eventually, the architected structures are blended with gypsum plaster to evaluate energy‐saving and microwave‐absorbing performance. The nanocomposites fabricated by ZnS/defected g‐C3N4/gypsum plaster as building materials have significant microwave‐absorbing and infrared reflection capacity. The presented research opens a new vista for simultaneous development of advanced functional materials for energy‐saving and microwave absorption.

Electrospun methacrylated natural/synthetic composite membranes for gingival tissue engineering

New functional materials for engineering gingival tissue are still in the early stages of development. Materials for such applications must maintain volume and have advantageous mechanical and biological characteristics for tissue regeneration, to be an alternative to autografts, which are the current benchmark of care. In this work, methacrylated gelatin (GelMa) was photocrosslinked with synthetic immunomodulatory methacrylated divinyl urethanes and defined monomers to generate composite scaffolds. Using a factorial design, with the synthetic monomers of a degradable polar/hydrophobic/ionic polyurethane (D-PHI) and GelMa, composite materials were electrospun with polycarbonate urethane (PCNU) and light-cured in-flight. The materials had significantly different relative hydrophilicities, with unique biodegradation profiles associated with specific formulations, thereby providing good guidance to achieving desired mechanical characteristics and scaffold resorption for gingival tissue regeneration. In accelerated esterase/collagenase degradation models, the new materials exhibited an initial rapid weight loss followed by a more gradual rate of degradation. The degradation profile allowed for the early infiltration of human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells, while still enabling the graft's structural integrity to be maintained. In conclusion, the materials provide a promising candidate platform for the regeneration of oral soft tissues, addressing the requirement of viable tissue infiltration while maintaining volume and mechanical integrity. Statement of significanceThere is a need for the development of more functional and efficacious materials for the treatment of gingival recession. To address significant limitations in current material formulations, we sought to investigate the development of methacrylated gelatin (GelMa) and oligo-urethane/methacrylate monomer composite materials. A factorial design was used to electrospin four new formulations containing four to five monomers. Synthetic immunomodulatory monomers were crosslinked with GelMa and electrospun with a polycarbonate urethane resulting in unique mechanical properties, and resorption rates which align with the original design criteria for gingival tissue engineering. The materials may have applications in tissue engineering and can be readily manufactured. The findings of this work may help better direct the efforts of tissue engineering and material manufacturing.

Architecture Controls Phonon Propagation in All-Solid Brush Colloid Metamaterials.

Brillouin light scattering and elastodynamic theory are concurrently used to determine and interpret the hypersonic phonon dispersion relations in brush particle solids as a function of the grafting density with perspectives in optomechanics, heat management, and materials metrology. In the limit of sparse grafting density, the phonon dispersion relations bear similarity to polymer-embedded colloidal assembly structures in which phonon dispersion can be rationalized on the basis of perfect boundary conditions, i.e., isotropic stiffness transitions across the particle interface. In contrast, for dense brush assemblies, more complex dispersion characteristics are observed that imply anisotropic stiffness transition across the particle/polymer interface. This provides direct experimental validation of phonon propagation changes associated with chain conformational transitions in dense particle brush materials. A scaling relation between interface tangential stiffness and crowding of polymer tethers is derived that provides a guideline for chemists to design brush particle materials with tailored phononic dispersion characteristics. The results emphasize the role of interfaces in composite materials systems. Given the fundamental relevance of phonon dispersion to material properties such as thermal transport or mechanical properties, it is also envisioned that the results will spur the development of novel functional hybrid materials.

Droplet-based assembly of magnetic superballs

The self-assembly of materials driven by the inherent directionality of the constituent particles is of both practical and fundamental interest because it enables the fabrication of complex and hierarchical structures with tailored functionalities. By employing evaporation assisted self-assembly, we form opal-like structures with micro-sized magnetic superball particles. We study the structure formation of different superball shapes during evaporation of a dispersion droplet with in-situ small angle x-ray scattering with microradian resolution in the absence and presence of an external magnetic field. In the absence of a magnetic field, strong shape-dependent structures form as the water evaporates from the system. Applying a magnetic field to the droplet has a unique effect on the system; strong magnetic fields inhibit the growth of well-ordered assemblies due to the formation of out-of-equilibrium dipolar structures while lower magnetic fields allow particles to rearrange and orient without inhibition. In this work, we show how the superball assembly inside a droplet can be controlled by the magnetic field strength and the superball shape. The tunability of these parameters not only enables the controllable formation of macroscopic colloidal assemblies but also opens up possibilities for the development of functional materials with tailored properties on a macro-scale.

Purely single-bonded spiral nitrogen chains stabilized by trivalent lanthanum ions.

Inspired by the single-bonded nitrogen chains stabilized by tetravalent cerium, pentavalent tantalum, and hexavalent tungsten atoms, we explored the possibility of single-bonded nitrogen polymorphs stabilized by trivalent lanthanum ions. To achieve this, we utilized the crystal structure search method on the phase diagram of binary La-N compounds. We identified three novel thermodynamically stable phases, the C2/c LaN3, P-1 LaN4, and P-1 LaN8. Among them, the C2/c phase with infinite helical poly-N6 chains becomes thermodynamically stable above 50GPa. Each nitrogen atom in the poly-N6 chain acquires one extra electron, and the spiral chain is purely single-bonded. The C2/c phase has an indirect band gap of ∼1.6eV at 60GPa. Notably, the band gap exhibits non-monotonic behavior, decreases first and then increases with increasing pressure. This abnormal behavior is attributed to the significant bonding of two La-N bonds at around 35GPa. Phonon spectrum calculations and AIMD simulations have confirmed that the C2/c phase can be quenched to ambient conditions with slight distortion, and it exhibits excellent detonation properties. Additionally, we also discovered armchair-like nitrogen chains in LaN4 and the armchair and zigzag-like mixed nitrogen chains in LaN8. These results provide valuable insights into the electronic and bonding properties of nitrides under high pressure and may have important implications for the design and development of novel functional materials.

Novel jellyfish-shaped resorcin[4]arene macrocyclic cocrystal via collaboration of macrocyclic chemistry and co-crystal engineering: Insight into structural, noncovalent interactions and computational chemistry

The collaboration of macrocyclic chemistry and co-crystal engineering has witnessed rapid development in recent years for the creation of functional solid-state. Here, we report the construction of novel jellyfish-like co-crystal derived from macrocyclic resorcin[4]arenes (R4A) serving as a bell and (Z)-3-(pyridine-4-yl)-2-(4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl)acrylonitrile (PPPA) molecules acting as a tentacle through the precise engineering of supramolecular interactions. The co-crystal structure was comprehensively investigated using single crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and molecular modeling. The packing pattern of the co-crystal structure shows the inclusion-of acetone solvent that connects the neighboring R4A cavitands into high order linear structure stabilized by multiple C–H⋯O, hydrogen bonds and C–H⋯π interactions. Interestingly, jellyfish like architecture is obtained by the interaction of PPPA with R4A molecules through collaborative C–H⋯O, CH⋯N and OH⋯N Hydrogen bonds. Additionally, the HOMO-LUMO, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP), Interaction region indicator (IRI) analysis, and Localized orbital locator (LOL) were collectively employed to provide comprehensive insights into the electronic structure and reactivity of the studied compound. Hirshfeld surface analysis in combination with 2D fingerprints plots were carried out to get insight into the role of various non-covalent routs in the formation cocrystal packing. This strategy will guide any future synthetic endeavors aimed at engineering supramolecular interactions on demand using macrocycle chemistry and co-crystal engineering for the development of promising novel functional materials.

GR-Fe3O4/PLA 3D printing composite materials with excellent microwave absorption properties

In this work, composite microspheres were formed by integrating graphene (GR) and Fe3O4 into an ethylcellulose matrix via an emulsion emulsification reaction. Composite wires were fabricated using a melt extrusion process and composite samples were subsequently prepared via a melt molding method. A systematic study was conducted to investigate the absorption performance of GR-Fe3O4/PLA (Polylactic acid) composite materials. The findings revealed that the optimal microwave absorption performance was achieved when the graphene content was 5.6 wt% and the Fe3O4 content was 11.1 wt%. The maximum reflection loss was − 51.13 dB at a thickness of 2.65 mm. The maximum absorption bandwidth was 4.16 GHz, and the effective radar interception cross-section was reduced to − 42.7 dBm2. The excellent performance of GR-Fe3O4/PLA composite material can be attributed to good impedance matching and the synergistic effect of conductive loss, dipole polarization, interface polarization, and eddy current loss. Then the contribution of conductive loss and polarization loss to the absorption performance was explored. This work provides a novel approach to advance the design and development of functional materials for efficient electromagnetic absorption, providing valuable insights into the development of efficient, lightweight microwave absorbing material.

Intelligent Biomaterialomics: Molecular Design, Manufacturing, and Biomedical Applications.

Materialomics integrates experiment, theory, and computation in a high-throughput manner, and has changed the paradigm for the research and development of new functional materials. Recently, with the rapid development of high-throughput characterization and machine-learning technologies, the establishment of biomaterialomics that tackles complex physiological behaviors has become accessible. Breakthroughs in the clinical translation of nanoparticle-based therapeutics and vaccines have been observed. Herein, recent advances in biomaterials, including polymers, lipid-like materials, and peptides/proteins, discovered through high-throughput screening or machine learning-assisted methods, are summarized. The molecular design of structure-diversified libraries; high-throughput characterization, screening, and preparation; and, their applications in drug delivery and clinical translation are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the prospects and main challenges in future biomaterialomics and high-throughput screening development are highlighted.

MoO3 nanoplates reinforced the structural, electrical, mechanical, and antibacterial characteristics of polyvinyl pyrrolidone/sodium alginate polymer blend for optoelectronics and biological applications

Organic/Inorganic nanostructures enable the development of new functional materials for optoelectronics and biological applications. In this work, nanocomposite films of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium alginate (NaAlg) blend matrix (30/70 wt%) filled with molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) nanoplates were prepared using solution casting procedure. The effect of MoO3 nanoplates on structural, optical, electrical and antibacterial characteristics of pure PVP/NaAlg blend was investigated. The sizes of MoO3 nanoplates had dimensions between 90 and 420 nm with orthorhombic phase as indicated by the TEM and XRD techniques. Also, the XRD patterns of filled films suggested that the presence of crystalline phases of MoO3 within PVP/NaAlg matrix. FTIR analysis revealed the primary vibrational peaks of PVP and NaAlg, whose strength altered randomly after filling. The UV absorption increased gradually and shifted to the higher wavelength side. The alternating current (AC) conductivity and dielectric parameters were improved with increasing MoO3 concentration. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli increased with increase of MoO3 nanoplates concentration. The filled PVP/NaAlg-MoO3 samples displayed considerable enhancements in the values of Young's modulus (Y), tensile stress (σt) and elongation at break (εB). The obtained results imply that these nanocomposite films can be potentially used in optoelectronics and biological applications.

Copper Ion Removal Using a Waste-Plastic-Derived Hydrogel Adsorbent Prepared via Microwave-Assisted PET Aminolysis.

Despite the tremendous progress in the development of functional materials from plastic waste to promote its recycling, only a few examples of hydrogel materials from plastic waste were reported. In this study, microwave-assisted depolymerization of waste PET plastic using polyamine was performed to prepare short aminophthalamide oligomers followed by chemically cross-linking into a hydrogel material. Catalyst-free microwave-assisted aminolysis of PET was completed within 30-40 s, demonstrating high efficiency of the depolymerization reaction. Subsequent epoxy cross-linking of the oligomers yielded a hydrogel with a swelling degree of ca. 92.1 times in pure water. The application of the obtained hydrogel for the removal of copper ions (Cu2+) from water was demonstrated. Efficient complexation of NH2 groups of the hydrogel with Cu2+ resulted in high adsorption capacities of the hydrogel material toward Cu2+ removal, which were the highest at neutral pHs and reached ca. 213 mg/g. The proposed type of environmental material is beneficial owing to its waste-derived nature and functionality that can be applied for the high-efficiency removal of a broad scope of known environmental pollutants.

Morphology Engineering of the Asymmetric PS-b-P4VP Block Copolymer: From Porous to Nanodot Oxide Structures.

In the present work, we demonstrate the formation of oxide porous and nanodot structures from the same block copolymer (BCP) by the phase inversion of a BCP template. We investigated the effect of solvent annealing time on the ordering of asymmetric, cylinder forming, polystyrene-b-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) BCP. Phase separation of PS-b-P4VP was achieved by solvent vapor annealing (SVA) in a solvent atmosphere that is (partially) selective to P4VP to initially generate hexagonally arranged, cylindrical arrays of the expected structure. The morphology of the BCP changed from P4VP hexagonally packed cylinders to an 'inverse' structure with PS cylinders embedded in a P4VP matrix. This suggests that selective swelling occurs over time such that the swollen P4VP phase becomes the majority volume component. Metal ions (Ga3+, In3+) were infiltrated into the BCP templates by a solution-mediated infiltration approach, followed by an ultraviolet-ozone treatment to remove the polymer and oxidize the metallic ions to their oxides. The findings show that a single BCP can be used to create both metal oxide arrays and porous structures of metal oxides by simply varying the duration of the solvent annealing process. The resulting structures were analyzed through several methods including scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. XPS analyses confirmed the complete elimination of the BCP template and the presence of metal oxides. This study provides important insights into the development of functional BCP materials with inverse structures.