Hierarchical Porous Polymer Scaffolds from Block Copolymers

TLDR

Tailored pore structures in scaffolds are valuable for catalysis and lightweight materials, but medical scaffold fabrication is limited by restrictive conditions that hinder multistep processes. The study proposes a method to create porous polymers with both micron‑scale interconnecting pores and tens‑of‑nanometer pores. The method uses spinodal decomposition of a block copolymer with small‑molecule additives, followed by a simple washing step in water, methanol, or ethanol. Sai et al.

Abstract

A Complicated Scaffold, Simply Materials with tailored pore structures can be useful as catalysis supports and for lightweight materials. When preparing medical scaffolds, restrictive preparation conditions have to be met, which can prohibit multistep preparation procedures. Sai et al. (p. 530 ) describe a method for making porous polymers containing both relatively large (several microns) interconnecting pores and a second population of ∼ tens of nanometer pores. The process exploits spinodal decomposition of a block copolymer blended with small-molecule additives and requires a simple washing step with water, methanol, or ethanol.