Nanoporous polymers crosslinked via cyclic structures

摘要

Nanoporous polymeric materials are fabricated in which polymeric strands are crosslinked via ring structures. Preferred ring structures are formed de novo during crosslinking, and at least some of the ring structures are preferably included in the backbones of the strands. At least one of the ring structures may advantageously comprise an aromatic structure, and may more advantageously comprise a benzyl moiety. Especially preferred polymers comprise a poly(arylene ether) synthesized from a difluoroaromatic portion and an aromatic bisphenolic portion. In another preferred aspect, the difluoroaromatic portions of the poly(arylene ether) carry at least two different crosslinking functionalities. In an even more preferred aspect, the crosslinking functionalities comprise an ethynyl and a tetracyclone. Nanoporosity is preferably introduced by thermolyzing one or more thermolabile portions in the crosslinked polymer. An especially preferred thermolabile portion comprises ethylene glycol-poly(caprolactone).