Role of template and infiltration technique on resulting morphology of polymer nanostructures

Polymer nanotubes are commonly fabricated using the template-assisted method. In the present study, polystyrene nanotubes were formed through a unique dipping technique that has not previously been reported. Anodized aluminum (AAO) templates were synthesized and infiltrated with polystyrene-tetrahydrofuran solutions. The effects of the template, polymer molecular weight and concentration on the final morphology were examined. The results indicate that stable nanotubes can be formed in homemade and commercial templates with polymer concentrations as low as 0.5 wt%. Nanotubes also resulted from a range of molecular weights indicating that the infiltration technique may be the primary factor enabling the formation of hollow structures.