Block Copolymer Synthesis Through Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization And Ring Opening Polymerization

There is a great need for environmentally friendly efficient energy sources with environmentally unfriendly energy sources, which are primarily used, are diminishing. A major method of producing this energy is through electrochemistry and maximizing the efficiency with increasing the reacting rates. By producing a polymer template with a gyroid morphology, metal oxide networks can be made with maximized surface area. In order to produce this gyroid morphology, a series of polymer based reactions can be used. These reactions include atom transfer radical polymerization and ring opening polymerization. Through a determined rate of degree of polymerization and pore size, required amounts of reagents and reaction times were calculated. Living polymerizations are good tools for the preparation of block copolymers as indicated by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Gel Permeation Chromatography. Estimated pore sizes of 12, 18, and 27 nanometers were produced. In the future, by using Transmission Electron Microscopy, these pore sizes will be confirmed. The minor block of the template will also be removed allowing for the deposition of a metal oxide.