Amine-functionalized nanoporous thin films from a poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer bearing a photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl carbamate junctionElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c2sm07056a

• Main Authors: Gamys, C Guinto, Schumers, Jean-Marc, Vlad, Alexandru, Fustin, Charles-Andr, Gohy, Jean-Franois
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 28.03.2012
• ISSN: 1744-683X; 1744-6848
• DOI: 10.1039/c2sm07056a

The synthesis of a poly(ethylene oxide)- block -polystyrene (PEO- b -PS) diblock copolymer bearing an o -nitrobenzyl carbamate junction is reported via a one-pot atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)copper( i )-catalyzed azidealkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). The accordingly obtained block copolymer was self-assembled into thin films showing, after solvent annealing, ordered PEO cylinders oriented normal to the film surface and embedded in a PS matrix. In the next step, the easy photocleavage of the o -nitrobenzyl carbamate junction and the subsequent removal of the PEO nanophase were demonstrated. This led to amine-functionalized nanoporous PS thin films as evidenced by the successful coupling of a fluorescent dye bearing a carboxylic acid group. The possibility to obtain fluorescent nanopores was then further exploited to pattern the films using a photolithographic mask. A poly(ethylene oxide)- b -polystyrene block copolymer bearing an o -nitrobenzyl carbamate junction is used to prepare amine-functionalized nanoporous thin films after self-assembly and subsequent removal of the poly(ethylene oxide) nanophases. This amine functionality is then exploited to graft a fluorescent dye inside the pores and to obtain patterned fluorescent materials.