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.