Templated nanostructured PS-b-PEO nanotubes

With anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes as wetting templates, nanotubes of the cylinder-forming polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) copolymer were generated. The PS-b-PEO solution was introduced into the cylindrical nanopores of an AAO membrane by capillary force and polymeric nanotubes formed after solvent evaporation. Because of the water solubility of the cylindrical PEO microdomains and the orientation of the cylindrical PEO microdomains with respect to the nanotube walls, the nanotubes were permeable to aqueous media. PS-b-PEO nanotubes were also prepared on the interior walls of amorphous carbon nanotubes (a-CNTs). Because of the unique water permeability of the PEO microdomains, an avenue for functionalizing the interior of the a-CNTs is enabled. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2912-2917, 2007