Nanoporous polymeric materials are fabricated in which polymeric strands
are crosslinked via ring structures. Preferred ring structures are formed
de novo during crosslinking, and at least some of the ring structures are
preferably included in the backbones of the strands. At least one of the
ring structures may advantageously comprise an aromatic structure, and may
more advantageously comprise a benzyl moiety. Especially preferred
polymers comprise a poly(arylene ether) synthesized from a
difluoroaromatic portion and an aromatic bisphenolic portion. In another
preferred aspect, the difluoroaromatic portions of the poly(arylene ether)
carry at least two different crosslinking functionalities. In an even more
preferred aspect, the crosslinking functionalities comprise an ethynyl and
a tetracyclone. Nanoporosity is preferably introduced by thermolyzing one
or more thermolabile portions in the crosslinked polymer. An especially
preferred thermolabile portion comprises ethylene
glycol-poly(caprolactone).