Summary and Suggestions for Further Work

Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to explore the template-assisted patterning of functional materials on the nanoscale to enhance specific material properties. Self-assembled diblock copolymer scaffolds with the unique double-gyroid morphology were chosen as organic templates. Firstly, a highly reproducible synthesis pathway based on atom transfer radical and organocatalytic ring-opening polymerization in combination with a bifunctional initiator was developed in order to ensure the supply of large quantities of double-gyroid-forming diblock copolymers. Electing non-substituted styrene and lactide as monomers and establishing a rapid thermal annealing protocol made the double-gyroid template preparation more environmentally sustainable and economical, both important requirements when aiming for industrial large-scale applications.