This document discusses using a nano approach to address energy challenges through novel technologies and materials. It presents using nanostructuring to enhance properties of existing materials for applications like conversion, storage and efficiency. Specifically, it focuses on template-assisted nanostructuring using self-assembled diblock copolymer nanostructures to electrodeposit functional nanomaterials. This versatile method allows for assembly of functional devices by selectively removing the organic template.

1. Motivation: Nano approach
Solution approaches
Energy related
challenges
Novel technologies (e.g. Fusion power…)
Existing tech.:
• Solar cells
• Batteries
• Capacitors
• Catalysis
Novel materials with
enhanced properties
(Chemistry approach)
Existing
materials
Enhance properties
via structure control
(Nano approach)
1. Conversion
2. Storage
3. Efficiency

2. Motivation: Nano approach
Functional
material
Nanostructuring
Active material (few nanometres)

3. SEM

6. Template-assisted nanostructuring (Overview)
Self-assembled diblock
copolymer nanostructure
Mesoporous gyroid
film on conducting FTO
Electrodeposition
of functional materials:
Ni, NiO, V2O5, TiO2, ...
Versatile method
Assembly of functional devices
Selective removal
of organic template
E. Crossland et al., Nano Letters, 2009, 9(8):2807-2812
E. Crossland et al., Nano Letters, 2009, 9(8):2813-2819

7. Diblock copolymer microphase-separation
• Macrophase-separation of homopolymer blends
• Immiscible polymers demix
• Occurs on the micron-scale
• Microphase-separation of diblock copolymers
• Immiscible blocks demix
• Occurs on the nanometre-scale, since the
two blocks are covalently bound
P. Flory, Journal of Chemical Physics, 1942, 10:51–61
M. Huggins, Annuals of the NY Academy of Sciences, 1942, 43:1–32

8. Double-gyroid morphology (Ia3d)
Two subvolumes: (majority 62% and minority 38% phase)
• interconnected
• self-supporting
• extremely high surface area
• robust
Video Gyroid animation
Michielsen et al., Journal of the Royal Society interface, 2010
Advanced Materials, 2009, 21(38):3928-3932

10. Replica

11. Electrochromic NiO display
Video Gyroid 4
Video Gyroid 3
Video NiO Display

12. Structural color

13. Where does colour come from?
Pigment colours
white light
Structural colours
white light
red
pigment
Scattered red light
- rest of light absorbed
blue
bright, pure, directional
- Iridescence -

14. Nature is more complex
•
Urania butterfly

15. Nature is more complex
•
Morpho butterfly

16. Nature is more complex
•
Morpho butterfly
Video Morpho

17. Replica

18. Nature is more complex
•
Papilio palinurus

19. Nature is more complex
•
Japanese jewel beetle
TEM - micrograph
400 nm

20. Nature is more complex
•
Japanese jewel beetle

21. SEM of a fly’s eye
Video smallflyeye

22. More Structural Colour - Opals

23. Making Artificial Opals
We can use polystyrene spheres to make artificial
opals…

24. Colloidal monolayer
Video Colloid fabrication
Video Colloid SEM

25. SEM Images
All same size
Binary mixtures

26. Using Opals as Templates
Solar cells, batteries, photonic
crystals, detectors, fashion…