2016 journal article

Water-induced nanochannel networks in self-assembled block ionomers

APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 108(10).

By: K. Mineart n, H. Al-Mohsin n, B. Lee* & R. Spontak n

co-author countries: United States of America 🇺🇸
Source: Web Of Science
Added: August 6, 2018

Block ionomers cast from solution exhibit solvent-templated morphologies that can be altered by solvent-vapor annealing. When cast from a mixed solvent, a midblock-sulfonated pentablock ionomer self-assembles into spherical ionic microdomains that are loosely connected. Upon exposure to liquid water, nanoscale channels irreversibly develop between the microdomains due to swelling and form a continuous mesoscale network. We use electron tomography and real-time X-ray scattering to follow this transformation and show that the resultant morphology provides a highly effective diffusive pathway.