Twin Polymerization: A Unique Strategy towards Versatile Functional Materials

Twin polymerization (=TP), a non-aqueous synthetic methodology for the preparation of inorganic-organic hybrid materials, by using, for example, salicylic- or furfurylic-functionalized main-group elements and/or transition metal-based twin monomers, results in the formation of interpenetrating phase (nano)domains in a single step. The chemical, analytical and physical properties including theoretical studies of the (co)polymerization process of the respective twin monomers, polymers and the as-generated hybrid and composite materials are described. Furthermore, the synthesis of hierarchical materials such as carbon hollow spheres as well as the encapsulation of nanoparticles (=NPs) within them by applying TP is envisaged. TP gives access to a wide range of applications (e. g., coatings for a variety of substrates, textile functionalization, carbon materials for Li-S or redox-flow batteries) which will be discussed herein. The use of NP-decorated hybrid and composite materials and nanoparticular MgO as catalysts in heterogeneous catalysis is reported as well.