Uniform two-dimensional square assemblies from conjugated block copolymers driven by π-π interactions with controllable sizes.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 29491384.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-018-03195-y and PMC identifier 5830438.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Two-dimensional (2-D) micro- and nano-architectures are attractive because of their unique properties. However, the formation of 2-D supramolecular highly symmetrical structures with considerable control is still a major challenge. Here we present a simple approach for the preparation of regular and homogeneous 2-D fluorescent square non-crystallization micelles with conjugated diblock copolymers PPV<sub>12</sub>-b-P2VP <sub>n</sub> through a process of dissolving-cooling-aging. The scale of the formed micelles can be controlled by the ratio of PPV/P2VP blocks and the concentration of the solution. The results reveal that the micelles of PPV<sub>12</sub>-b-P2VP <sub>n</sub> initially form 1-D structures and then grow into 2-D structures in solution, and the growth is driven by intermolecular π-π interactions with the PPV<sub>12</sub> blocks. The formation of 2-D square micelles is induced by herringbone arrangement of the molecules, which is closely related to the presence of the branched alkyl chains attached to conjugated PPV<sub>12</sub> cores.