Molecular self-assembly of one-dimensional polymer nanostructures in nanopores of anodic alumina oxide templates

One-dimensional (1-D) polymer nanostructures have attracted much attention due to their unique properties and many potential applications in areas such as sensors, transistors, separation, storage, and photovoltaic cells. This is a review of research activities on 1-D polymer nanostructures fabricated by anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The preparation methods of polymer nanostructures by AAO templates including polymer melt infiltration, polymer solution infiltration, and chemical synthesis are introduced. According to the molecular structure of polymers, the morphology, and properties of seven types of polymers, amorphous homopolymers, amorphous-amorphous block copolymers, amorphous/amorphous polymer blends, semicrystalline homopolymers, semicrystalline/amorphous polymer blends, semicrystalline-amorphous block copolymers, and semicrystalline-semicrystalline block copolymers in nanopores are demonstrated.