Two-Dimensional-Hexagonal Periodic Mesoporous Polymer Resin Thin Films by Soft Templating

Two-dimensional (2D)-hexagonal (plane group, p 6 mm ) mesoporous polymer resin thin films were obtained through evaporation-induced organic-organic self-assembly of a preformed oligomeric resol precursor and the triblock copolymer template pluronic P123. The polymer resin films were prepared on silicon wafers by spin-coating a mixture of precursor and surfactant in ethanol. Evaporation-induced self-assembly is followed by the formation of a condensed-wall material through thermopolymerization of the precursor oligomers, resulting in mesostructured phenolic resin films. Subsequent decomposition of the surfactant and partial carbonization were achieved through thermal treatment in an inert atmosphere. The films are crack-free with tunable homogeneous thicknesses and show either a 2D-hexagonal or lamellar mesostructure. An additional, yet unknown, three-dimensional (3D) mesostructure was also found. The mesoporous polymer resin films can serve as precursors for various mesoporous carbon structures.