JoVE Journal > Chemistry
Summary
Abstract
Introduction
Protocol
Results
Discussion
Disclosures
Acknowledgements
Materials
References
화학

Gyroid Nickel Nanostructures from Diblock Copolymer Supramolecules

Published: April 28, 2014
doi:
10.3791/50673
, , , , , ,
1Department of Polymer Chemistry, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials,University of Groningen, 2Materials Science, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials,University of Groningen, 3ICTM – Center for Catalysis and Chemical Engineering

Summary

This article describes the preparation of well-ordered nickel nanofoams via electroless metal deposition onto nanoporous templates obtained from self-assembled diblock copolymer based supramolecules.

Abstract

Nanoporous metal foams possess a unique combination of properties – they are catalytically active, thermally and electrically conductive, and furthermore, have high porosity, high surface-to-volume and strength-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately, common approaches for preparation of metallic nanostructures render materials with highly disordered architecture, which might have an adverse effect on their mechanical properties. Block copolymers have the ability to self-assemble into ordered nanostructures and can be applied as templates for the preparation of well-ordered metal nanofoams. Here we describe the application of a block copolymer-based supramolecular complex – polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine)(pentadecylphenol) PS-b-P4VP(PDP) – as a precursor for well-ordered nickel nanofoam. The supramolecular complexes exhibit a phase behavior similar to conventional block copolymers and can self-assemble into the bicontinuous gyroid morphology with two PS networks placed in a P4VP(PDP) matrix. PDP can be dissolved in ethanol leading to the formation of a porous structure that can be backfilled with metal. Using electroless plating technique, nickel can be inserted into the template's channels. Finally, the remaining polymer can be removed via pyrolysis from the polymer/inorganic nanohybrid resulting in nanoporous nickel foam with inverse gyroid morphology.

Introduction

There are several techniques available for the preparation of metal nanofoams: dealloying1-3, sol-gel approaches4,5, nanosmelting6,7, and combustion synthesis8. In the dealloying process, the starting material is usually a binary alloy, for example, an alloy of silver and gold. The less noble metal, silver in this case, can be removed either chemically or electrochemically resulting in a disordered porous gold foam with nanosized ligaments. In combustion synthesis, metal is mixed with an energetic precursor that releases energy during its decomposition and drives the formation of metal nanofoam8. Studies on the mechanical behavior of metal foams indicate that in disordered architectures stresses cannot be transmitted effectively from the ligament nanoscale to the overall macroscale9-11. Thus well-ordered metal nanofoams are expected to have superior mechanical properties in comparison to the disordered ones.

The idea represented here is to employ block copolymers that self-assemble into ordered nanostructures as precursors to metal nanofoams. Depending on the composition of a block copolymer, the total number of monomer units and the extent of repulsion between the chemically connected blocks, various morphologies appear such as: spherical, cylindrical, lamellar, double gyroid, hexagonally perforated lamellar, and others12-14. Furthermore, polymer blocks can be degraded selectively leading to nanoporous materials15. The most common methods include: ozonolysis16-18, UV irradiation19, reactive ion etching20-22, and dissolution23-26. The generated porous structures can be backfilled with various inorganic materials. Metal oxides (e.g. SiO2, TiO2) are usually introduced via sol-gel method into the template's channels27-29. Electrochemical and electroless plating are commonly used to deposit metal into or onto templates30-33. Finally, the remaining polymer can be removed from the polymer/inorganic nanohybrid via pyrolysis2, dissolution34,35, UV degradation28,29, etc.

In our approach, we start from a supramolecular complex of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) diblock copolymer and amphiphilic pentadecylphenol (PDP) molecules. This complex is a result of the hydrogen bonding between PDP and pyridine rings (Figure 1a). The composition of the starting block copolymer and the amount of added PDP are chosen in such a way that the obtained system self-assembles in the bicontinuous double gyroid morphology with a PS network and a P4VP(PDP) matrix (Figure 1b). PDP molecules become selectively dissolved in ethanol and P4VP chains collapse onto the PS network (Figure 1c). Subsequently, using electroless plating method, nickel is deposited into the pores of the template (Figure 1d). After the removal of the remaining polymer via pyrolysis, a well-ordered gyroid nickel nanofoam is obtained (Figure 1e).

Protocol

1. Preparation and Characterization of PS-b-P4VP(PDP) Complexes with Double Gyroid Morphology

  1. Weigh out polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and pentadecylphenol (PDP, Mr = 304.51 g/mol). In order to obtain the gyroid morphology, carefully select the amount of PDP should be (the weight fraction of P4VP(PDP) block (fP4VP(PDP))should be ca. 0.6 according to the phase diagram of linear AB diblock copolymers). Usually, 0.15-0.2 g of a PS-b-P4VP leads to PS-b-P4VP(PDP) films 50-100 μm thick (given that the diameter of a Petri dish used in the step 1.3 is 5-6 cm). Calculate the amount of PDP according to the following equations:
    Equation 1
    Equation 2
    Equation 3
    Equation 4
  2. Dissolve PS-b-P4VP and PDP in chloroform and stir it for a couple of hours at room temperature. Maintain the concentration of polymer below 2 wt% to ensure the homogeneous complex formation.
  3. Pour the solution into a glass Petri dish.
  4. Place the dish into a saturated chloroform atmosphere.
  5. After about one week, take out the Petri dish. A film of the supramolecular complex is formed.
  6. Dry the film in vacuum at 30 °C overnight.
  7. Place the film in a specially designed container, remove the air from the container and then fill it with nitrogen. Anneal the film for 4 days in the oven at 120 °C under N2 atmosphere with 1 bar overpressure.
  8. Cut the small piece of the film, embed in epoxy and cure it overnight at 40 °C.
  9. Microtome the sample to a thickness of about 80 nm using a diamond knife at room temperature. The microtomed section will float on water. Pick them up and place on Cu grids.
  10. Put the grids containing the microtomed sections into a jar with iodine. After 45 min samples are stained and ready for transmission electron microscopy.
  11. Insert the Cu grids with stained sections in the transmission electron microscope operating at an accelerating voltage of 120 kV and image the sample.
  12. Insert the piece of the film (obtained after step 1.7) into the sample holder for small angle X-ray scattering and fix it with a Kapton tape. Place the prepared sample holder into the machine for SAXS. Open the X-ray shutter and acquire the 2D scattering pattern. Integrate the obtained 2D pattern and analyze the position of the peaks in 1D pattern.

2. Generation and Characterization of the Porous Structure

  1. Put the piece of the film (obtained after step 1.7) in ethanol and keep it for three days.
  2. Dry the sample.
  3. Prepare the samples for 1H NMR measurements. Dissolve PDP powder, PS-b-P4VP powder, supramolecular complex PS-b-P4VP(PDP) (after step 1.7), and porous film (after step 2.2) in CDCl3. Record 1H NMR spectra at room temperature.
  4. Analyze PS-b-P4VP powder, supramolecular complex PS-b-P4VP(PDP) (after step 1.7), and porous film (after step 2.2) by differential scanning calorimetry. Use a modulated mode with a heating/cooling rate of 1 °C/min, an oscillation amplitude of 0.5 °C, and an oscillation period of 60 sec. Equilibrate the samples at -30 °C, heat to 180 °C, cool to -30 °C, and then heat again to 180 °C. Use the data from the second heating cycle for the analysis.
  5. Outgas the porous sample (after step 2.2) for 8 hr at room temperature and for 18 hr at 70 °C and perform nitrogen adsorption measurements at 77 K.
  6. Use the appropriate software (for example, WinADP) and models to analyze the obtained isotherms.
  7. Dry the porous sample (after step 2.2) at 50 °C for 8 hr and degas it at room temperature and pressure of 0.5 Pa for 2 hr.
  8. Perform mercury porosimetry.

3. Inserting Nickel in the Polymer Template

  1. Weigh out tin chloride (SnCl2, Mr = 189.60 g/mol) and prepare an aqueous solution (0.1 M SnCl2 / 0.1 M HCl; 1.896 g SnCl2, 0.8 ml HCl, and 100 ml H2O). Put the solution on a shaker overnight to ensure the complete dissolution of SnCl2.
  2. Weigh out palladium chloride (PdCl2, Mr = 177.33 g/mol) and prepare an aqueous solution (0.0014 M PdCl2 / 0.25 M HCl; 0.025 g PdCl2, 2 ml HCl and 100 ml H2O).
  3. Prepare part 1 of the nickel plating bath: weigh out 6.78 g nickel sulfate hexahydrate (NiSO4•6H2O, Mr = 262.85 g/mol) and 2 g sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7, Mr = 258.06 g/mol) and dissolve them in 80 ml of water. Add 828 μl 85% lactic acid (C3H6O3, Mr = 90.08 g/mol).
  4. Prepare part 2 of the nickel plating bath: weight out 0.2 g borane dimethylamine complex ((CH3)2NHBH3, Mr = 58.92 g/mol) and dissolve it in 20 ml of water. Borane dimethylamine complex should be handled in a well-ventilated fume hood.
  5. Immerse the porous film (after step 2.2) in the aqueous solution of tin chloride (step 3.1) for 1 hr.
  6. Rinse the film thoroughly with deionized water.
  7. Immerse the film in the aqueous solution of palladium chloride (step 3.2) for 1 hr.
  8. Rinse the film thoroughly with deionized water.
  9. Mix part 1 (3.3) and part 2 (3.4) of the nickel plating bath. Adjust the pH to 7.0 using ammonium hydroxide.
  10. Immerse the film in the nickel plating bath for 1 hr.
  11. Rinse the film thoroughly with deionized water.
  12. Dry the sample.
  13. Prepare the plated sample for electron microscopy as described in steps 1.8-1.9.
  14. Image the sample as described in step 1.11.
  15. Insert Cu grids containing the sections of the plated sample in the high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Acquire high-resolution TEM micrographs. Observe the sample under the microscope and choose the area for elemental analysis by EDX (Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-Rays). Perform the EDX analysis of the chosen area and analyze the obtained pattern.

4. Exposure of the Inverse Gyroid Nickel Foam

  1. Put the nickel-plated film (after step 3.12) in an oven at 350 °C and keep it from 1 hr up to 4 days.
  2. Attach the sample to the sample holder using a silver paste.
  3. Insert the sample into the scanning electron microscope. Acquire several images of the sample.
  4. Insert the sample into the scanning electron microscope. Observe the sample under the microscope and choose the area for elemental analysis by EDX. Perform the EDX analysis of the chosen area and analyze the obtained pattern.

Representative Results

The morphology of supramolecular complexes PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x is examined by TEM and SAXS. Figures 2a and 2b display typical gyroid patterns of a representative supramolecular complex: the double-wave and the wagon-wheel patterns that are known to represent projections through the (211) and the (111) plane of the gyroid unit cell, respectively. The PS block domains appear bright while the P4VP(PDP)x block domains appear dark due to iodine staining. Figure 2c represents the double-wave pattern of a different gyroid sample of which the periodicity is decreased with a factor of 2. SAXS peaks at positions: √6q*, √8q*, √14q*, √22q*, and √50q* confirm the bicontinuous Ia 3d morphology of the sample (Figure 2d).

The complete removal of PDP by subjecting the PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x complex to ethanol is proven by 1H NMR and DSC. After the ethanol treatment, all 1H NMR signals characteristic for PDP are absent and the spectrum of the diblock copolymer is recovered. Additionally, the DSC data imply that the thermal behavior of the ethanol treated sample and that of the diblock copolymer is identical. Textural properties of the representative porous gyroid template are determined by nitrogen adsorption and mercury porosimetry. The BET specific surface area of 104 m2/g is rather high, the template occupies almost 60 vol%, the average pore diameter is 40 nm, and pore size distribution is very narrow (Figure 3).

Prior to electroless plating, the Pd catalyst is deposited onto the gyroid template surface to direct the selective nickel ion reduction. Successively, nickel metal fills the pores of the polymer template. Figure 4a represents the TEM micrograph of the unstained nickel plated gyroid sample and the contrast in the image originates from metal deposited in the nanochannels. Additionally, the characteristic wagon-wheel pattern confirms the preservation of the double gyroid morphology during the processing steps. HR TEM micrographs (Figures 4b and 4c) show relatively large, interconnected Ni crystallites and EDX analysis (Figure 4d) reveals the chemical composition of the plated sample. As expected, prominent carbon and nickel peaks are observed, together with the oxygen peak that indicates the oxidation of the nickel nanofoam when stored in air.

Finally, the remaining polymer is decomposed by heating isothermally at 350 °C for at least half an hour, leaving the nickel network intact. The exposed nickel replica preserves the inverse gyroid morphology as confirmed by SEM (Figure 5).

Figure 1
Figure 1. Schematic representation of the preparation of gyroid metallic nanofoam. (a) Chemical structure of the supramolecular complex PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x. (b) Bicontinuous gyroid morphology of PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x showing PS (blue) and P4VP(PDP)x (orange) segments. (c) Nanoporous template after the PDP removal. (d) By electroless deposition, the voids between PS struts are filled with nickel. (e) Gyroid nickel nanofoam after the polymer template removal by pyrolysis. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure..

Figure 2
Figure 2. (a, b) TEM micrographs of the PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x sample with x = 1.5, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.69 and Mtotal = 135,000 g/mol, representing the double-wave and the wagon-wheel gyroid pattern, respectively. (c, d) TEM micrograph and SAXS pattern of the gyroid PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x sample with x = 0.8, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.59 and Mtotal = 90,600 g mol-1. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure..

Figure 3
Figure 3. Pore size distribution of the porous gyroid template derived from PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x complex with x = 1.0, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.62 and Mtotal = 83,300 g/mol. The graph represents the derivative of the cumulative pore volume vs pore diameter. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 4
Figure 4. (a) TEM image of the unstained nickel plated gyroid polymer template derived from the PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x complex with x = 1.0, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.62 and Mtotal = 83,300 g/mol. The image represents the wagon-wheel gyroid pattern. (b, c) HR TEM images showing relatively large and interconnected Ni crystallites. (d) EDX pattern of the nickel plated sample showing prominent carbon and nickel peaks, together with the oxygen peak that indicates the oxidation of the nickel nanofoam when stored in air. The copper peak originates from the grid used as a support. The nickel plated sample (b, c, d) is derived from the PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x complex with x = 0.8, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.59 and Mtotal = 90,600 g mol-1. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figure 5
Figure 5. SEM micrographs of the inverse gyroid nickel replica derived from the PS-b-P4VP(PDP)x complex with x = 1.5, fP4VP(PDP) = 0.69 and Mtotal = 135,000 g/mol. Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.

Figures are reprinted with permission36. Copyright 2011 American Chemical Society.

Discussion

Supramolecular complexes are successfully applied as precursors for well-ordered metal nanofoams. In this method, the crucial step is to acquire the appropriate template, i.e. a template with gyroid morphology. In the phase diagram of block copolymers the gyroid region is very small and it is rather difficult to target. This means that if conventional block copolymers are used as starting materials, the quite elaborate synthesis has to be repeated until the desired composition, that gives rise to the gyroid morphology, is reached. In PS-b-P4VP(PDP) complexes different compositions, and thus different morphologies, can be achieved very simply – by changing the amount of added PDP. Although a gyroid region in the phase diagram of PS-b-P4VP(PDP) complexes is rather small as well, it is possible to obtain gyroid complexes with various domain sizes. It is also very important to realize that in a conventional diblock copolymer with a gyroid morphology, the minority network component occupies ca. 35 vol% and a majority matrix component ca. 65 vol%. Thus, removal of the matrix will results in a highly porous template and correspondingly far less porous metal nanostructure. Here we remove only a part of the matrix and consequently, the porosity of the final metal foam will be higher than 50 vol% which is high enough to fulfill the general requirement for the formation of a metal nanofoam5. Furthermore, in a conventional block copolymer approach, if the polyethylene oxide (PEO) or polylactic acid (PLA) block are removed from PS-b-PEO or PS-b-PLA37, the resulting PS hydrophobic surface of the porous template will require modification prior to electroless plating38. Here, the presence of the polar P4VP corona at the template's surface facilitates the penetration of water-based reagents used in electroless plating process and eliminates this modification step.

Metal nanofoams, as a new and developing class of materials, are expected to be altered and improved in the near future to meet the specific needs. Their chemical composition can be varied, and for instance, Au, Ag, Cu, Co, etc. nanofoams can be prepared. Additionally, block copolymer templating can be combined with dealloying leading to hierarchically porous metal nanofoams. Metal alloys (e.g. Au, Ag) can be deposited into the channels of a block copolymer template via electroless plating method. After the polymer degradation, a less noble metal (e.g. Ag) can be removed by dealloying resulting in the hierarchically porous Au nanofoam. Furthermore, the structure of metal nanofoam can be tuned by variation of the morphology of the starting block copolymer. Besides the gyroid phase, block copolymer morphologies such as plumber's nightmare39 or the orthorhombic Fddd network40-42 are interesting candidates for the metal nanofoam preparation. The field of metal nanofoams is still poorly examined and it is expected to bring the exciting discoveries in future.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge financial support by the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen.

Materials

REAGENTS:
PS-b-P4VP, CAS: 26222-40-2 Polymer Source Inc. P9009-S4VP
P136-S4VP
P5462-S4VP
P3912-S4VP		 additional information are provided in a separate table
PDP Aldrich P4402-100G-A recrystallized twice from petroleum ether
SnCl2 Acros Organics 196981000
PdCl2 Aldrich 76050
NiSO4 x H2O Sigma-Aldrich 227676
lactic acid Aldrich W261106
citric acid trisodium salt Sigma-Aldrich C3674
borane dimethyl amine complex Aldrich 180238
PS-b-P4VP catalogue number Mn (PS), g/mol Mn(P4VP), g/mol PDI
P9009-S4VP 24000 9500 1.1
P136-S4VP 31900 13200 1.08
P5462-S4VP 37500 16000 1.3
P3912-S4VP 41500 17500 1.07
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Tags

GyroidNickelNanostructuresDiblock CopolymerSupramoleculesNanoporous Metal FoamsCatalytic ActivityElectrical ConductivitySelf-assemblyBlock CopolymersPS-b-P4VP(PDP)Inverse Gyroid MorphologyElectroless PlatingPyrolysis

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Vukovic, I., Punzhin, S., Voet, V. S. D., Vukovic, Z., de Hosson, J. T. M., ten Brinke, G., Loos, K. Gyroid Nickel Nanostructures from Diblock Copolymer Supramolecules. J. Vis. Exp. (86), e50673, doi:10.3791/50673 (2014).
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