Nanoporous host materials with adjustable pore size, geometry and distribution: Synthesis, functionalization and characterization (A07+)

• Subject Area: Preparatory and Physical Chemistry of Polymers
• Term: from 2018 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 358283783

Goal of the project is the synthesis of polymeric (PS & PMMA) nanofoams with adjustable pore size (< 50 nm), geometry and morphology as tailor made substrates for molecular catalysis. To achieve this goal, the influence of the size of the polymeric nanoparticles and the process parameters of the used NanoFoam Continuity Inversion of Dispersions principle will be studied. The nanofoams are functionalized via the hydroxylation of the pore surface. Epoxide groups will be introduced serving as anchoring sites for linker group-bearing catalysts catalyzing the 1,4-addition of boronic acids to enones. The deposition of metal oxide layers increases the stability of the polymeric nanofoams with respect to solvents and high temperature.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1333: Molecular Heterogeneous Catalysis in Confined Geometries
• Applicant Institution: Universität Stuttgart
• Project Head: Privatdozent Dr. Thomas Sottmann