Silver(I)-coordinated organogel-templated fabrication of 3D networks of polymer nanotubes

Organogels comprising 3D networks of self-assembled fibers have long been employed to transcribe the fibrous structure into inorganic nanotubes; however, herein organogel has been used to access polymer nanotubes. The organogel induced by cross-linking between a tripodal ligand and Ag(I) possesses high thermal stability, which makes it suitable for in situ polymerization at elevated temperature. The silver ions in the gel can attract monomeric capping agent added, responsible for the adhesion of polymerized product onto gel fibers. In situ polymerization is followed by ammonia treatment to produce polymer nanotubes that are directly organized into 3D superstructures.