Porous polymers by controlling phase separation during vapor deposition polymerization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Fabricating porous polymer films often requires complex templating methods.
• Controlling morphology in thin polymer films is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a template-free method for creating continuous-phase, porous polymer films.
• To achieve morphological control during film fabrication through simultaneous phase separation.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) combined with simultaneous phase separation.
• Concurrent polymerization, crosslinking, and phase separation of condensed species and reaction products.
• Controlling phase separation during VDP to influence film morphology.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated open-cell, macroporous polymer films composed of crosslinked poly(glycidyl methacrylate).
• Demonstrated the ability to grow spatially dependent morphologies, including layered structures, by controlling phase separation.
• Established morphological control through the integration of VDP and phase separation.

Conclusions:

• The developed template-free VDP method offers a new route to porous polymer films.
• Morphological control is achievable by managing phase separation during the deposition process.
• Potential applications include cellular scaffolds, vibration dampers, and separation membranes.