Magnetic array-templated method for fabrication of polymer nanoporous films

Ng, Jarryd Keng Gene; Rybchenko, Sergey I.; Lukaschuk, Sergei

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a novel method of producing nanoporous polymeric membranes in a cost-effective and reproducible manner. The novelty of the technique hinges on the exploitation of a new type of sacrificial material & structures - self-assembled arrays of magnetic nanoparticles. The arrays are obtained through application of an external magnetic field to a thin layer of colloidal solution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles in a polymerizable monomer; this is followed by photopolymerisation. The resulting columnar structures form the pore templates which when selectively etched away leave an array of nanopores spanning across the polymeric film. The morphological characterisation of the nanopores by scanning electron microscopy and ionic conductivity revealed a very unusual sponge-like pore morphology. The applications which would benefit from the specific pore morphology and arrayed manufacturing are discussed.

Citation

Ng, J. K. G., Rybchenko, S. I., & Lukaschuk, S. (2020). Magnetic array-templated method for fabrication of polymer nanoporous films. Nano Express, 1(1), 010044. https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-959X/ab970b

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2020
• Online Publication Date: May 27, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 9, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 15, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 15, 2020
• Journal: Nano Express
• Electronic ISSN: 2632-959X
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 010044
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-959X/ab970b
• Keywords: Colloidal particles; Directed self-assembly; Nano-patterning; Nanopores; Polymer membranes; Ionic conductivity
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3522029
• Publisher URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2632-959X/ab970b