Ordered mesoporous materials from metal nanoparticle-block copolymer self-assembly.

Warren, Scott C; Messina, Lauren C; Slaughter, Liane S; Kamperman, Marleen; Zhou, Qin; Gruner, Sol M; DiSalvo, Francis J; Wiesner, Ulrich · Science · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The synthesis of ordered mesoporous metal composites and ordered mesoporous metals is a challenge because metals have high surface energies that favor low surface areas. We present results from the self-assembly of block copolymers with ligand-stabilized platinum nanoparticles, leading to lamellar CCM-Pt-4 and inverse hexagonal (CCM-Pt-6) hybrid mesostructures with high nanoparticle loadings. Pyrolysis of the CCM-Pt-6 hybrid produces an ordered mesoporous platinum-carbon nanocomposite with open and large pores (>/=10 nanometers). Removal of the carbon leads to ordered porous platinum mesostructures. The platinum-carbon nanocomposite has very high electrical conductivity (400 siemens per centimeter) for an ordered mesoporous material fabricated from block copolymer self-assembly.