Cubosomes and Hexosomes

Cubosomes

Polymer Cubosomes are a novel class of self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) microparticles with a periodic channel system that is open porous, has a large surface area, and a high loading capacity. The channel are two interpenetrating systems as indicated in the schematic in green and purple. The lattice symmetry of the channel system gives the particles their name, e.g., cubic lattices with double primitive (lm3m), double diamond (Pn3m), or gyroidal (la3d) symmetry or inverse hexagonal phases (HII) known as Hexosomes. The channel diameter can be tuned between 10-200 nm, channels remain accessible in wet and dry state, and the microparticles can – in principle – be formed from any polymer chemistry. These features make polymer Cubosomes appealing for science and technology and for applications in the field of capture and release, catalysis, and templating. So far, Cubosomes and Hexosomes are primarily formed from polystyrene based BCPs providing mechanical stability but without further functionality.

A current DFG-funded project establishes routes for the synthesis and self-assembly of BCP Cubosomes with functional binding sites in the Cubosome walls, which will be used to directly convert the Cubosome structure into mesoporous carbon, transition metals, and metal oxides (or combinations thereof). The produced materials will be analyzed regarding chemical composition, morphology, and quality of the nanostructure. The materials are then tested in electro- and photocatalysis or as electrode materials in metal ion batteries.

In other projects, we synthesize BCP Cubosomes with diverse properties, e.g., biodegradable blocks realize degradable Cubosomes, redox and photo-responsive groups allow reversible assembly/disassembly, and carbonizable polymers give to access mesoporous carbon without the need of templates.

Funding

Polymer Cubosomes GR5075/7-1