Micellar formation by soft template electropolymerization in organic solvents

The formation of porous nanostructures on surfaces and the control their size shape is fundamental for various applications. creation nanotubes particularly difficult to implement without aid hard rigid templates. Recently, methods that form nanotubular structures in a straightforward manner direct templating, e.g. soft have been highly sought after. Here we propose use “soft templating” via self-assembly conducting monomers during electropolymerization organic solvents as mean porous, features. Naphtho[2,3-b]thieno[3,4-e][1,4]dioxine (NaphDOT) employed monomer electropolymerizations conducted dichloromethane chloroform containing varying amounts water. SEM analyses resulting confirms strong capacity NaphDOT vertically aligned nanotubes. Polymerization solutions analyzed by DLS TEM reveal presence micelles prior electropolymerization, correlates with inner diameter formed. We show polymerization are stabilized both electrolytes. mechanism where reverse forming soft-template responsible organic, non-polar solvents. In this mechanism, electrolyte assume role surfactant micelle system.