Templated aqueous synthesis of inorganics within carboxyl-containing block copolymer domains

Template-directed, aqueous-based syntheses of nanoscale inorganic materials in carboxyl-functionalized block copolymer domains (nanoreactors) were demonstrated. First, the successful application of electroless metal deposition within the sub-surface lamellar domains of an amphiphilic block copolymer is presented. Several electroless metals were selectively deposited inside the interconnected network of the water-permeable block domains containing pre-loaded palladium, which served as the spatially localized deposition catalyst. The technique proved to be a facile means to rapidly deposit large amounts of metals within the hydrophilic block domains, despite limitations on the transport of plating reagents into the bulk templates. The simple process yielded novel nanocomposites consisting of alternating layers of metal with those of the hydrocarbon matrix. The extent of metal deposition within the bulk block copolymer templates was controlled by adjusting the deposition rate and deposition time. Second, unique self-assembled thin film templates comprising in-plane arrays of nanosized surface cavities were investigated. The micellar thin films, formed by direct casting of kinetically stable styrene(PS)-acrylic acid(PAA) block copolymer reverse micelles from toluene onto solid substrates, consisted of lateral hexagonal arrays of spherical PAA domains in PS matrices. It was shown that hydration and swelling of PAA upon treatment in a monovalent base (NaOH) aqueous solution led to a cavitation process that exposed the PAA cores to the free surface.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Boontongkong, Yot

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Robert E. Cohen and Michael F. Rubner.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8430

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/8430