Directed In Situ Shaping of Complex Nano- and Microstructures during Chemical Synthesis.
Macromol Rapid Commun
; 38(4)2017 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28052443
ABSTRACT
Chemical composition and shape determine the basic properties of any object. Commonly, chemical synthesis and shaping follow each other in a sequence, although their combination into a single process would be an elegant simplification. Here, a pathway of simultaneous synthesis and shaping as applied to polysiloxanes on the micro- and nanoscale is presented. Complex structures such as stars, chalices, helices, volcanoes, rods, or combinations thereof are obtained. Varying the shape-controlling reaction parameters including temperature, water saturation, and the type of substrate allows to direct the reaction toward specific structures. A general mechanism of growth is suggested and analytical evidence and thermodynamic calculations to support it are provided. An aqueous droplet in either gaseous atmosphere or in a liquid organic solvent serves as a spatially confined polymerization volume. By substituting the starting materials, germanium-based nanostructures are also obtained. This transferability marks this approach as a major step toward a generally applicable method of chemical synthesis including in situ shaping.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Siloxanos
/
Nanoestructuras
/
Microquímica
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Macromol Rapid Commun
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Suiza