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Gyroid nanostructured soft membranes formed by controlling the degree of crosslinking polymerization of bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline monomers

Polymer Journal volume 53, pages 463–470 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The self-organization of liquid-crystalline monomers and subsequent polymerization is a unique strategy for creating nanostructured polymer membranes with novel functions and innovative properties. In this study, we developed gyroid nanostructured soft polymer films based on this strategy. Two types of amphiphile zwitterion monomers were designed and synthesized: a single-type amphiphile zwitterion monomer (S-ZI) and a gemini-type monomer (G-ZI). These compounds show liquid-crystalline behavior in the presence of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (HTf2N) and water. We attempted to find an appropriate mixing ratio of S-ZI and G-ZI that satisfied the following two criteria: suitability for the exhibition of bicontinuous cubic (Cubbi) phases and acquisition of self-standing properties and softness. The 25/75 wt% component ratio of S-ZI/G-ZI was found to meet these conditions. By carrying out a polymerization for the mixture in the above mixing ratio in the Cubbi phase, a polymer film with self-standing properties and resistance to bending was successfully obtained. This film showed a high ionic conductivity of 1.27 × 10−2 S cm−1 under a relative humidity of 90%.

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Acknowledgements

TI is grateful for financial support from the Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) (no. JPMJPR1413). This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (no. 17H03038). This work was supported by the Izumi Science and Technology Foundation (2018-J-081). TK is grateful for financial support from the JSPS Research Fellowships for Young Scientists (no. JP 18J21088).

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184-8588, Japan

    Asako Maekawa, Tsubasa Kobayashi & Takahiro Ichikawa

  2. JST, PRESTO, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan

    Takahiro Ichikawa

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  1. Asako Maekawa
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Correspondence to Takahiro Ichikawa.

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Gyroid nanostructured soft membranes formed by controlling the degree of crosslinking polymerization of bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline monomers

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Maekawa, A., Kobayashi, T. & Ichikawa, T. Gyroid nanostructured soft membranes formed by controlling the degree of crosslinking polymerization of bicontinuous cubic liquid-crystalline monomers. Polym J 53, 463–470 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-020-00436-0

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