Engineering Precursor Localization via Solvency for Simultaneously Metallizing and Hollowing Bicontinuous Gyroid...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Chemistry

Background:

• Metallized ordered porous nanonetworks exhibit superior performance due to interconnected frameworks and large surface areas.
• Enhancing porosity in these nanonetworks while maintaining structural integrity presents a significant challenge.
• Simultaneous hollowing and metallization are key to achieving higher porosity, requiring precise control over guest precursor distribution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for simultaneously metallizing and hollowing double gyroid (DG) structures into tungsten oxide (WO₃) hollow double gyroid (HG) architectures.
• To overcome challenges in maintaining structural integrity during porosity enhancement.
• To precisely control the distribution of metallic precursors within block copolymer frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) block copolymers to create DG hybrid structures.
• Leveraged the ionization of P4VP and solvency of metallic precursors for controlled precursor association (homogeneous or heterogeneous).
• Employed sequential calcination to simultaneously metallize and hollow the hybrid structures into crystalline WO₃-based HG architectures.

Main Results:

• Achieved precise control over precursor distribution, leading to either homogeneous dispersion or heterogeneous localization at interfaces.
• Demonstrated the formation of a unique core-shell triclinic DG hybrid structure via heterogeneous localization.
• Successfully synthesized crystalline WO₃-based HG structures with exceptional porosity through simultaneous metallization and hollowing.

Conclusions:

• The developed method effectively engineers precursor distribution to create highly porous nanonetworks with maintained structural integrity.
• This approach is versatile and applicable to other amphiphilic copolymer-derived nanonetworks.
• The synthesized WO₃-based HG architectures hold promise for advanced applications in nanopatterning, metamaterials, and catalysis.