Open AccessMagnetic array-templated method for fabrication of polymer nanoporous films
Author(s) -
Jarryd Keng Gene Ng,
S. I. Rybchenko,
Sergei Lukaschuk
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nano express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2632-959X
DOI - 10.1088/2632-959x/ab970b
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoporous , nanopore , nanotechnology , polymer , fabrication , superparamagnetism , nanoparticle , membrane , ionic bonding , monomer , scanning electron microscope , layer (electronics) , template , chemical engineering , magnetic field , composite material , magnetization , chemistry , ion , physics , organic chemistry , pathology , quantum mechanics , engineering , medicine , biochemistry , alternative medicine
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.