Polymer Cubosomes: Synthesis, Self-assembly, and Conversion to Electro- and Photocatalysts

• Applicant: Professor Dr. André Gröschel
• Subject Area: Polymer Materials
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 526222003

Polymer Cubosomes are a novel class of self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) microparticles with a periodic channel system that is open porous, has a large surface area, and a high loading capacity. The channel diameter can be tuned between 10-200 nm, the channel system remains accessible in wet and dry state, and the microparticles can - in principle - be formed from any polymer chemistry. These features make polymer Cubosomes appealing in science and technology for applications in the fields of capture and release, catalysis, and templating. So far, Cubosomes are primarily formed from polystyrene block copolymers providing mechanical stability but limiting their functionality and application potential. This project seeks to establish routes for the synthesis and self-assembly of block copolymer Cubosomes with functional walls, which will be used to directly convert the Cubosome structure into mesoporous carbon, transition metals, and metal oxides. The produced materials will be analyzed regarding their composition, morphology, and quality of the nanostructure, and finally, tested in electro- and photocatalysis.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants