Rapid fabrication of three-dimensional porous films with biomimetic patterns by natural evaporation of amphiphilic polyacetylene solutions under ambient conditions

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2001 Jun;1(2):137-41. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2001.022.

Abstract

A simple process for fast fabrication of thin films with biomimetic morphological structures from a group of linear homopolymers is developed. Natural evaporation of tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and hexane-dichloromethane solutions of poly(phenylacetylene)s that contain amino acid and ethylene glycol moieties under ambient conditions instantly produces three-dimensional porous films with structural patterns reminiscent of honeycombs and radiolarian shells. Morphological analysis by optical and electronic microscopy suggests that vesicles of the amphiphilic polymers serve as building blocks in the self-organization to the biomimetic structures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Acetylene / chemistry*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemical synthesis*
  • Biomimetic Materials / chemistry
  • Biomimetics / methods*
  • Chloroform / chemistry
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Furans / chemistry
  • Hexanes / chemistry
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyynes
  • Porosity
  • Solutions / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Furans
  • Hexanes
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Polymers
  • Solutions
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Polyynes
  • tetrahydrofuran
  • Chloroform
  • Acetylene