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Facile synthesis and high-fidelity cleavage provide access to a wide variety of block copolymers cleavable under mild conditions.
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Technology Dr. Thayumanavan et al. have developed a facile method for synthesizing novel cleavable block copolymers useful for producing functionalized nanoporous materials. These novel cleavable block copolymers are synthesized from homopolymers generated via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and can be readily cleaved into their constituent blocks tethered to functional handles (see figure below) under very mild reaction conditions. Upon cleaving and washing with a solvent selective for a minor constituent block after microphase separation, nanoporous materials containing functional handles in the nanopores can be generated. Further nanopore functionalization can produce a variety of polymer-based composite materials. Applications Separation Media: Functional handles in the nanopores can be easily modified with ionic moieties or hydrophobic/hydrophilic functionalities to obtain highly effective nanoporous membranes for separation of organic or biomolecular compounds. Biosensor/Detection Arrays: Functional handles can be used to immobilize proteins or other agents in the nanopores to generate functionalized templates for biosensor and detection array fabrication. Solar cells: Functional handles can be used to grow nanorods or to fabricate organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials useful in nanostructured solar cell applications. Ultrahigh-Density Magnetic Media: The nanoporous templates generated from the novel cleavable block copolymers can be used to produce ultrahigh-density magnetic storage/recording media.