Block Copolymer Templated Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes for Enhancing Mass Transport in Energy Conversion Systems

Abstract

Block copolymer-templated nanostructured carbons (BNCs) represent a new class of porous materials that offer precise control over pore size, connectivity, and architecture through rational polymer design and self-assembly. These structural features enable enhanced mass and ion transport, improve triple-phase boundary formation, and efficient catalyst utilization under practical electrochemical conditions. This Perspective outlines recent advances in BNC synthesis, including solvent-evaporation-induced assembly and emulsion-confined fabrication. The role of pore architecture is examined across key electrochemical systems such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, metal–air batteries, and carbon dioxide reduction devices, where transport limitations often govern performance. Strategies for tailoring pore structures through molecular-level control of block copolymer templates are discussed, along with challenges related to selective catalyst placement and scalable production. The integration of BNC frameworks into electrochemical systems offers a promising route toward high-performance energy conversion and storage technologies through structure-guided material design.