Polymer cubosome‑templated bicontinuous materials: Design principles, synthesis, and energy–environmental applications

Porous materials with three-dimensional (3D) pore networks have received significant attention because of their potential applications in catalysis, energy storage and biotechnology. Among various templating strategies, polymer cubosomes with triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) provide a versatile platform for synthesizing bicontinuous materials with well-defined constant-mean-curvature (CMC) architectures. Selective surface exposure of the hydrophilic polymer blocks, together with the highly ordered and interconnected pores of polymer cubosomes, provides a suitable space for precursor impregnation. Subsequent removal of the template yields porous materials with bicontinuous pore networks. These polymer cubosome-based templates enable precise control over pore structure, connectivity, and material composition. As a result, they facilitate synthesis of a diverse range of bicontinuous materials, such as carbon, metal oxides, metal-phenolic networks, metal–organic frameworks, and metals. This review summarizes recent advances in exploiting polymer cubosomes as templates for the fabrication of bicontinuous materials. Key aspects of this approach include polymer cubosome formation, tuning polymer cubosome morphology, as well as impregnation and fabrication of organic/inorganic materials. Recent applications demonstrate the potential of bicontinuous materials in energy storage, catalysis, and gas sensing. Future directions focus on expanding material diversity and applications of templated porous materials.