Block copolymer nanotemplates as versatile platforms for hybrid multifunctional nanostructures

Abstract

Multifunctional hybrid nanostructures composed of noble metals, semiconductors, metal oxides, and carbonaceous moieties are fabricated based on block copolymer self-assembly coupled with sol-gel process and galvanic displacement reaction. A new protocol for the build-up of multilayers of inorganic nanoparticles constructed by stepwise build-up of amphiphilic micellar nanotemplates is established. Enhanced photocatalytic and optical sensing properties were observed from hybrid metal/semiconductor systems. CNTs with uniformly distributed metal NPs and the corresponding analogue 2-D arrays were also fabricated utilizing direct carbonization of conventional thermoplastic block copolymers. ©2010 IEEE.