Synthesis and self-assembly of dynamic covalent block copolymers: towards a general route to pore-functionalized membranes

A diblock copolymer is designed to have incompatible blocks, unsymmetrical block lengths, and a reversible linkage. This copolymer self-assembles into nanostructured cylindrical morphology in thin films. Removal of the nanosized cylinders by breaking the reversible linkage then affords nanoporous membranes featuring a chemically reactive functionality in the pores.