Co-continuous Porous Carbon from Randomly End-linked Copolymer Network Templates

Microphase separated polymers can develop morphologies with co-continuous phase percolation, which in turn have been widely exploited to template nanostructures of other non-polymeric materials. For example, co-continuous nanoporous carbons have shown potential in supercapacitor and electrocatalytic applications. Here, we exploit the tendency of randomly end-linked copolymer networks to form disordered co-continuous phases across wide composition ranges to impart co-continuity into a porous carbon monolith. After polymerizing, via copper-catalyzed free radical chemistries, the bromide end-groups of α-ω telechelic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polystyrene (PS) were converted to azide moieties. Subsequent azide-alkyne ‘click’ reactions, followed by solvent removal and thermal annealing, yield a microphase separated network. Finally, thermal treatment removes the PS, while simultaneously cyclizing the PAN, and at higher temperatures, yielding graphitic carbon structures with inherent nitrogen doping. These nanoporous carbons are expected to offer promise in applications including supercapacitors and catalysts, specifically for hydrogen evolution and oxygen reduction.