Solvent Vapor‐Induced Nanowire Formation in Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Thin Films

Summary: Nanowire lengths and length‐to‐width aspect ratios in regioregular poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were simply controlled through changes in the solvent vapor pressure during solidification. It is demonstrated that the nanowires grew by rod‐to‐rod association, in which the molecular long axis of the P3HT chains appeared to be well‐oriented parallel to the silicon substrate (Si/SiO_x). The formation of the nanowires took place by one dimensional self‐assembly, governed by π‐π stacking of the P3HT units.

TEM high contrast images showing P3HT nanowires fabricated by spin‐coating under a solvent vapor pressure.     

Metal‐Free Activation in the Anionic Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Cyclopropane Derivatives

The successful activation observed when using Bu^tP₄ phosphazene base and thiophenol or bisthiols for the anionic ring opening polymerization (ROP) of di‐n‐propyl cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylate is described. Well‐defined monofunctional or difunctional polymers with a very narrow molecular weight distribution were obtained through a living process. Quantitative end‐capping of the propagating malonate carbanion was accessible by using either an electrophilic reagent such as allyl bromide or a strong acid such as HCl. Kinetics studies demonstrated a much higher reactivity compared to the conventional route using alkali metal thiophenolates.

     

Synthesis of Optically Active Polymer with P‐Stereogenic Phosphine Units

Optically active polymer containing P‐stereogenic bisphosphine as a repeating unit in the main was successfully synthesized. A coordinated borane on the phosphorus atom could be completely removed by an organic base under mild condition, and the successive reaction with Pd afforded the corresponding polymer complex. The chirality of P‐stereogenic centers was transferred to the m‐phenylene‐ethynylene linkers by complexation because of the prohibition of the rotary motion of the bisphosphine‐Pd unit.

     

Microwave‐Assisted Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone in the Presence of Ionic Liquid

Summary: Microwave‐assisted ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquid using zinc oxide as a catalyst is investigated. By adding 30 wt.‐% ionic liquid, poly(ε‐caprolactone) with a weight‐average molar mass of 28 500 g · mol⁻¹ is obtained at 85 W for 30 min. The results indicate that the polymerization could be efficiently enhanced in the presence of ionic liquids under microwave irradiation because ionic liquids can effectively absorb microwave energy.

     

Electro‐active Polymer Actuator Based on Sulfonated Polyimide with Highly Conductive Silver Electrodes Via Self‐metallization

We report here a facile synthesis of high performance electro‐active polymer actuator based on a sulfonated polyimide with well‐defined silver electrodes via self‐metallization. The proposed method greatly reduces fabrication time and cost, and obviates a cation exchange process required in the fabrication of ionic polymer‐metal composite actuators. Also, the self‐metallized silver electrodes exhibit outstanding metal‐polymer adhesion with high conductivity, resulting in substantially larger tip displacements compared with Nafion‐based actuators.

     

Anisotropic Electronic Conductivity in Layer‐By‐Layer Composite Film Composed of Water‐Soluble Conjugated Polymers and SWNTs

This paper reports the anisotropic electrical properties of a layer‐by‐layer (LBL) film composed of water‐soluble conjugated polymers and single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The water‐soluble poly (p‐phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) are capable of a strong π‐π interaction with the sidewall of SWNTs and results in a very stable PPE‐SO₃/SWNTs composite in aqueous solution. Aligned LBL films were prepared by self‐assembly using the anionic PPE/SWNTs and cationic PPE on various substrates. The polarized Raman spectra exhibited the cos²α polarization dependence of the G‐band intensity between the polarization direction and the SWNTs alignment direction. The electric conductivity within the LBL films can be controlled by the deposition direction in the LBL formation.

     

Alternating Poly(Pt‐salphen)‐(p‐phenyleneethynylene) as Phosphorescent Conjugated Linear‐Rod and Coilable Sensory Materials

Phosphorescent conjugated polymers consisting of alternating p‐phenylene‐ethynylene and ‘para‐’ or ‘meta‐type’ Pt(II)‐salphen luminophore units have been synthesized. Side‐arms bearing different substituents (n‐alkoxy and acetylated‐sugar) have afforded contrasting emission properties that are attributed to the polymer conformation, extent of π‐stacking interactions and differences in chemical structure. Intriguing selectivity in luminescent sensing of metal ions has been observed.

     

Enhancement of Photostability in Blue‐Light‐Emitting Polymers Doped with Gold Nanoparticles

A dramatic increase in the photostability of a blue‐light‐emitting polymer, poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene), was achieved by the addition of 5–10 nm gold nanoparticles. The optical absorption band of the gold nanoparticles was tuned to resonate the triplet exciton ground state bandgap energy of the polymer. Photo‐oxidation rate of poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene) was effectively reduced by doping the polymer with very small amounts (≈10⁻⁶–10⁻⁵ volume fraction) of the gold nanoparticles.

Retarded photo‐oxidation in PDOF nanocomposite films with various doped gold nanoparticles.     

Dual Self‐Assembling Polycondensation of p‐Acetoxybenzoic Acid and p‐Acetamidobenzoic Acid

The dual self‐assembling polycondensation of p‐acetoxybenzoic acid (ABA) and p‐acetamidobenzoic acid in Therm S 800 was examined at 300 °C. Needle‐like crystals and lath‐like crystals were formed simultaneously through reaction‐induced crystallization of oligomers at a molar ratio of 30–50 mol‐% ABA in the feed. The needle‐like crystals comprised more p‐oxybenzoyl units, whereas the lath‐like ones contained higher amounts of p‐benzamide moieties.

     

Self‐Assembly and Dispersion of Chromogenic Molecules: A Versatile and General Approach for Self‐Assessing Polymers

Summary: Self‐assessing polymer blends based on poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) or linear low‐density polyethylene and small amounts (0.5–2% w/w) of chromogenic sensor dyes are prepared and investigated. The cyano‐substituted oligo(p‐phenylene vinylene) dyes employed in the study exhibit pronounced optical absorption changes upon self‐assembly, because of charge‐transfer interactions or conformation changes. The extent of dye aggregation (and therewith the optical absorption characteristics) in these blends is significantly influenced by exposure to external stimuli. Subjecting appropriately processed samples to either temperatures above their glass transition or mechanical deformation can significantly change the extent of aggregation, which in turn leads to a color change.

Mechano‐optical response of a 1.0% w/w LLDPE/C18‐RG blend film. Pristine films are orange due to aggregated dye molecules. Deformation leads to dispersion of the dye and irreversibly changes the color to yellow.     

Formation of Giant Needle‐Like Polycation‐Bile Acid Complexes

The complexation of bile acids with various solvated polycations was studied. A one‐to‐one complex was precipitated when an aqueous solution of cholic acid sodium salt (CA) was mixed with aqueous solutions of 3,3‐ionene and grew to form crystals with needle‐like morphology, 3 millimeters in length. Hydrogen bonding of hydroxyls at the steroid face and the spacing between cationic sites of polycations were crucial for the formation of the giant needle.

Crossed polarizing microscopic photograph of the complex composed of cholic acid sodium salt and 3,3‐ionene.     

Novel π‐Electron Extension System via Chromophores Self‐Polymerization to Enhance the NLO Efficiency

A new strategy for the self‐polymerization of chromophores is investigated to develop a 2,7‐carbazole‐based nonlinear optical (NLO) conjugated polymer with an increasing conjugation length of chromophores. Elongation of the conjugation‐path length in chromophores has established engineering guidelines to enhance optical nonlinearity. Compared with the traditional synthesis of an NLO polymer, the chromophores should be well‐designed at a limited conjugation spacer, and then incorporated into a polymer matrix. In this research, the π‐conjugation spacer of chromophores extended perpendicularly to the dipole of chromophores during the polymerization process. Furthermore, this study marks the first research of integrating the π‐electrons of chromophores and conjugated polymers. These conjugated backbones promote a bulk‐polarization response, leading to large NLO coefficients.

     

Phase Transition Behaviors of Self‐Oscillating Polymer and Nano‐Gel Particles

Summary: Self‐oscillating polymers and nano‐gel particles consisting of N‐isopropylacrylamide and the ruthenium catalyst of the Belousov‐Zhabotinsky reaction have been prepared. In order to clarify the crosslinking effect on the self‐oscillating behavior, the phase transition behaviors were investigated by measuring the transmittance and the fluorescence intensity of the polymer solution and the gel bead suspension. Cooperative effects due to crosslinking will play an important role for the design of nanoactuators.

Chemical structure of poly(NIPAAm‐co‐Ru(bpy)₃).     

Chemical Modification of Chitosan, 17

The Michael reaction of chitosan with acrylic acid was carried out successfully, even in water alone as the reaction medium. As a consequence of its good solubility in water, the reaction product, N‐carboxyethylchitosan, showed excellent biodegradable properties with standard activated sludge.

     

Greatly Enhanced Energy Density and Patterned Films Induced by Photo Cross‐Linking of Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐chlorotrifluoroethylene)

Greatly enhanced energy density in poly(vinylidene fluoride‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐CTFE)] is realized through interface effects induced by a photo cross‐linking method. Being different from nanocomposites with lowered dielectric strength, the cross‐linked P(VDF‐CTFE)s possess a high breakdown field as well as remarkably elevated polarization, both of which contribute to the enhanced energy density as high as 22.5 J · cm⁻³. Moreover, patterned thin films with various shapes and sizes are fabricated by photolithography, which sheds new light on the integration of PVDF‐based electroactive polymers into organic microelectronic devices such as flexible pyroelectric/piezoelectric sensor arrays or non‐volatile ferroelectric memory devices.

     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Cyclodextrin Based Functional Monomers and its Copolymers with N‐isopropylacrylamide

Two novel monovinyl β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) monomers are synthesized. Their chemical compositions are characterized by means of element analysis, NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The results show that the synthesis techniques used are convenient and efficient. Using N‐isopropylacrylamide as a comonomer, two novel linear copolymers can also be synthesized.

Synthesis route of monovinyl β‐CD monomers.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Block Copolymer Containing Regioregular Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Poly(γ‐benzyl‐L‐glutamate)

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate) (P3HT‐b‐PBLG) rod–rod diblock copolymer was synthesized by a ring‐opening polymerization of γ‐benzyl‐L ‐glutamate‐N‐carboxyanhydride using a benzylamine‐terminated regioregular P3HT macroinitiator. The opto‐electronic properties of the diblock copolymer have been investigated. The P3HT precursor and the P3HT‐b‐PBLG have similar UV–Vis spectra both in solution and solid state, indicating that the presence of PBLG block does not decrease the effective conjugation length of the semiconducting polythiophene segment. The copolymer displays solvatochromic behavior in THF/water mixtures. The morphology of the diblock copolymer depends upon the solvent used for film casting and annealing results in morphological changes for both films deposited from chloroform and trichlorobenzene.

     

A Novel Type of Vesicles Based on Ionic and π–π Interactions

Electrostatic self‐assembly can be used to form supramolecular vesicles in aqueous solution. Vesicles consist of cationic G8 poly(amidoamine) dendrimers and the trivalent sulfonate dye Ar27. No classical amphiphiles are present but the interplay of electrostatics, π–π interaction and geometric factors influences the structure formation. Labeled guest molecules, both small molecules and peptides, can be included inside these vesicles and vesicles imaged by fluorescence techniques. The structure was studied by dynamic and static light scattering, small‐angle neutron scattering, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. The study indicates the prospect of constructing functional nanoobjects by the self‐assembly of charged molecules in aqueous solution.

     

Polymer‐Based Rectifying Diodes on a Glass Substrate Fabricated by Ink‐Jet Printing

Summary: The fabrication of polymer diodes on a glass substrate by an ink‐jet printing technique is reported. Both an n‐type semiconductive polymer, poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2‐ethylhexyloxy)‐1,4‐(1‐cyanovinylene)phenylene] (CN‐PPV), and a p‐type semiconductive polymer, polypyrrole (PPy) or poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), were printed through a piezoelectric ink‐jet printer. The printed CN‐PPV/PPy and CN‐PPV/PEDOT diodes showed good rectifying characteristics. These results indicate the potential of the low‐cost ink‐jet printing technique to produce polymer microelectronic devices and circuits.

Schematic diagram of the printed polymer diode     

Vesicles Formed by Oligostyrene‐block‐Oligoaniline‐block‐Oligostyrene Triblock Oligomer

Novel π‐conjugated coil–rod–coil triblock oligomers containing optoelectronic active oligoaniline segments were synthesized. The block oligomer can self‐assemble into diverse aggregating morphologies including spherical micelles and thin‐layer vesicles in THF, which is found associated with the removing of the protecting groups of oligoaniline segments. A possible mechanism was proposed to explain the self‐assembly behavior changes in which chain conformation variation of the aniline segments initiated from deprotection of the nitrogen atoms is pointed to be the key factor that dominates the transition process.