Self-assembly of semiaromatic poly(amic acid) into flower-like microparticles via one-step precipitation polymerization

Abstract

Flower-like particles (FLPs) are highly attractive materials owing to their intricate morphologies and high specific surface areas. However, a definitive method for fabricating organic FLPs with unique three-dimensional morphologies has yet to be established. In this paper, we report on a synthetic route for poly(amic acid) (PAA) FLPs using a specially designed semiaromatic PAA consisting of alternate rigid aromatic segments and flexible alkyl segments via one-step precipitation polymerization at room temperature. The particle morphology can be tuned from spherical to flower-like by adjusting the mixed-solvent ratio. Based on small-angle X-ray scattering, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy analyses, the flower-like morphology is attributed to the microcrystalline structure formed by the folded and stacked alignment of the PAA precursors. Moreover, solubility plays a crucial role in determining the crystallization rate and growth mechanism, thereby leading to variations in the flower-like morphology. Notably, the flower-like morphology is preserved after thermal imidization and carbonization. The as-synthesized carbon flowers demonstrated high catalytic activity and selectivity for the 2-electron electrochemical reduction of oxygen in an acidic electrolyte, which could be attributed to the N-content of 2.72% and the efficient mass transport granted by the opens structue of the unique flower-like morphology.

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
29 Oct 2024
Accepted
21 Feb 2025
First published
25 Feb 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Accepted Manuscript

Self-assembly of semiaromatic poly(amic acid) into flower-like microparticles via one-step precipitation polymerization

Y. Chen, R. Kikuchi, K. Hatakeyama-Sato, T. Hayakawa and Y. Nabae, RSC Appl. Polym., 2025, Accepted Manuscript , DOI: 10.1039/D4LP00327F

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