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.     

Stepwise Self‐Assembly of P3HT/CdSe Hybrid Nanowires with Enhanced Photoconductivity

A facile approach to prepare poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/cadmium selenide quantum dot (CdSe QD) hybrid coaxial nanowires by a stepwise self‐assembly process is reported. P3HT nanowires of ≈20 nm diameter are first prepared by self‐assembly in a poor solvent such as cyclohexanone, and then as‐prepared CdSe QDs are deposited compactly onto the P3HT nanowires by non‐covalent interactions between P3HT and CdSe. When illuminated with white light, the hybrid nanowires show enhanced photoconductivity compared with the pristine P3HT nanowires and the blended nanocomposites.

     

Reduced Graphene Oxide/Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Supramolecular Composites

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) supramolecular structures are fabricated on P3HT‐dispersed reduced graphene oxide (RGO) monolayers and surfactant‐free RGO monolayers. P3HT is able to disperse RGO in hot anisole/N,N‐dimethylformamide solvents, and forms nanowires on RGO surfaces through a RGO induced crystallization process. The TEM and AFM investigation of the resultant P3HT/RGO composites shows that P3HT nanowires grow from RGO, and connect individual RGO monolayers. Raman spectroscopy confirms the interaction between P3HT and RGO, which allows the manipulation of the RGO electrical properties. Such a bottom‐up approach provides interesting graphene‐based composites for nanometer‐scale electronics.

     

Ethylene and Ethylene/Propylene Polymerization Behavior of Bis(phenoxy‐imine) Zr and Hf Complexes with Perfluorophenyl Substituents

The catalytic properties of bis(phenoxy‐imine) Zr and Hf complexes incorporating perfluorophenyl groups with methylaluminoxane were investigated. The fluorinated complexes produced far higher‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes and ethylene/propylene copolymers with increased activities compared with the non‐fluorinated congeners. Moreover, the fluorinated complexes displayed a higher incorporation ability for propylene.

Structures of complexes 1 – 4 .     

Low‐Density Polyethylene Superhydrophobic Surface by Control of Its Crystallization Behavior

Summary: A simple and inexpensive method for forming a low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) superhydrophobic surface by controlling the crystallization behavior of LDPE by adjusting the crystallization time and nucleation rate has been proposed. The resulting porous surface, with hierarchical micro‐ and nanostructures on the beautiful floral designs, has a water contact angle of 173.0° ± 2.5°.

A highly porous surface created by adding nonsolvent (cyclohexanone) followed by evaporation of the LDPE in a vacuum at 25 °C (left, inset shows corresponding water contact angle). Nanostructures on the florallike crystal structures (right).     

Transient Absorption Spectroscopy Studies on Polythiophene–Fullerene Bulk Heterojunction Organic Blend Films Sensitized with a Low‐Bandgap Polymer

Recently, the concept of near‐infrared sensitization is successfully employed to increase the light harvesting in large‐bandgap polymer‐based solar cells. To gain deeper insights into the operation mechanism of ternary organic solar cells, a comprehensive understanding of charge transfer–charge transport in ternary blends is a necessity. Herein, P3HT:PCPDTBT:PCBM ternary blend films are investigated by transient absorption spectroscopy. Hole transfer from PCPDTBT‐positive polarons to P3HT in the P3HT:PCPDTBT:PCBM 0.9:0.1:1 blend film can be visualized. This process evolves within 140 ps and is discussed with respect to the proposed charge‐generation mechanisms.

     

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.

     

Large‐Scale Synthesis of Necklace‐Like Single‐Crystalline PbTiO3 Nanowires

Summary: We show in this communication that large‐scale necklace‐like single‐crystalline tetragonal perovskite PbTiO₃ nanowires can be obtained via a simple electrospinning method. The morphology and the crystal structure are investigated by SEM, XRD, and HRTEM. The length of the necklace‐like PbTiO₃ nanowires is from tens to several tens of micrometers, the wider the diameter of it is between 100 and 200 nm and the thinner the part is between 20 and 50 nm. The necklace‐like PbTiO₃ nanowires exhibit high surface photovoltage under the action of external electric field, which is probably applicable in displaying photoelectric devices of heterojunction structure.

SEM image of the electrospinning necklace‐like PbTiO₃ nanowires.     

Design of a Linear Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)/Fullerene‐Based Donor‐Acceptor Rod‐Coil Block Copolymer

Novel fullerene‐grafted poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)‐based rod‐coil block copolymers have been synthesized. The regioregular P3HT rod block has been synthesized by a modified Grignard metathesis reaction (GRIM). An original in situ end‐capping reaction has been developed in order to convert the P3HT block into an efficient macro‐initiator for the nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) of the coil block. Controlled radical polymerization of the second poly(butylacrylate‐stat‐chloromethylstyrene) [P(BA‐stat‐CMS)] block has been done through various conditions leading to different coil block lengths. The final electron donor‐acceptor block copolymer has been obtained after C₆₀ grafting in soft conditions. Copolymers have been characterized by ¹H NMR and size exclusion chromatography. Optical characterizations, before and after C₆₀ grafting, are reported.

     

Square Lamellar Structure Having Phase‐Separated Microdomain in H‐Shaped Block Copolymer Thin Film

The morphology of a H‐shaped block copolymer (poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and polystyrene branches (PS)₂PEG(PS)₂) in a thin film has been investigated. A peculiar square lamella that has a phase‐separated microdomain at its surface is obtained after spin coating. The experimental temperature plays a critical role in the lamellar formation. The copolymer first self‐assembles into square lamellar micelles with an incomplete crystalline core due to the crystallizability of PEG. In the subsequent process of solvent evaporation, phase separation between PS and non‐crystalline PEG attached at the chain‐folded PEG surface takes place, which results in phase‐separated microdomains being formed at the lamellar surface.

     

Nickel(II) α‐Diimine Catalyst for Grignard Metathesis (GRIM) Polymerization

A nickel α‐diimine catalyst was used for Grignard metathesis (GRIM) polymerization of 2,5‐dibromo 3‐hexylthiophene and 2‐bromo‐5‐iodo‐3‐hexylthiophene monomers. GRIM polymerization of 2‐bromo‐5‐iodo‐3‐hexylthiophene generated regioregular polymers with molecular weights ranging from 3 000 to 12 000 g · mol⁻¹. The nickel α‐diimine catalyst was also successfully used for the GRIM polymerization of a bulky benzodithiophene monomer.

     

Cross‐Linked Conjugated Polymers for Achieving Patterned Three‐Color and Blue Polymer Light‐Emitting Diodes with Multi‐Layer Structures

Reactions between the ethylene groups in the backbone of conjugated polymers under UV illumination and heat treatment result in the cross‐linking of the main polymer chains. The cross‐linking leads to two simultaneous results in the polymer: excellent solvent resistance and increased bandgap. Using this reaction, three‐color polymer light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) with a multi‐layer structure can be easily realized by a dry photo‐pattern in an active‐gas‐free environment. Multi‐layer blue devices with dramatically enhanced efficiency can also be achieved conveniently.

     

A First Approach to White Organic Electroluminescence Device from a Single Rod‐Coil Poly[thiophene‐block‐(N‐vinylcarbazole)] Diblock Copolymer

A rod‐coil block copolymer consisting of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) ( P3HT‐ b ‐PVK ) in a single molecular architecture is prepared as the first example for WOLEDs. By obtaining the phase separated domains in thin film of the resulting block copolymer, it is possible to suppress energy transfer from PVK as wide bandgap units to P3HT as low bandgap blocks, yielding dual emissions for white electroluminescence with CIE coordination of (0.34, 0.33).

     

Direct Melt Intercalation of Polylactide Chains into Nano‐Galleries: Interlayer Expansion and Nano‐Composite Structure

Summary: The polylactide‐based nano‐composites were prepared via melt extrusion method using different types of intercalants and nano‐fillers having different surface charge density. In order to understand the direct polymer melt intercalation into the nano‐galleries, the interdigitated layer structure of the organically modified layered filler (OMLF), where the intercalants are oriented with some inclination to the host layer in the interlayer space, was proposed. After polymer melt intercalation, the smaller initial interlayer opening led to the larger interlayer expansion, suggesting the large amount of the intercalation of the polymer chains. Consequently, the nano‐composite exhibited finer dispersion of the nano‐fillers when compared with the nano‐composites prepared from OMLFs with larger initial interlayer opening.

Illustration of a model of interlayer structure of the qC₁₄(OH) in gallery space of HTO.     

Self‐Assembling Nanomaterials using Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified with Polystyrene Brushes

Magnetic nanomaterials have been studied in order to generate novel nanocomposites that display both the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles and the ability to self‐assemble of the amorphous block copolymer matrix. Towards this goal, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles have been modified with PS brushes by ATRP in order to improve both the dispersion and the affinity of the nanoparticles with one of the blocks of a polystyrene‐block‐polybutadiene‐block‐polystyrene block copolymer. This method of preparation of nanocomposites opens new strategies for the generation of magnetic nanomaterials. The samples are characterized using DSC and atomic and magnetic force microscopies.

     

Novel Shape‐Memory Polymer Based on Hydrogen Bonding

Summary: Due to a large difference in storage modulus below and above the glass transition temperature, a novel shape‐memory poly[(methyl methacrylate)‐co‐(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)]/poly(ethylene glycol) semi‐interpenetrating polymer networks structure was synthesized, which is stabilized by hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The recovery ratio of these polymers could reach 99%. In such a system the maximum molecular weight of PEG required for the semi‐IPNs formation reaches 1 000.

Transition from the temporary shape (chem) to the permanent shape (four rods) for a shape‐memory P(MMA‐co‐VP)/PEG1000 semi‐IPNs.     

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.     

Superior Nanoporous Polyimides via Supercritical CO2 Drying of Jungle‐Gym‐Type Polyimide Gels

We report novel nanoporous polyimides formed from jungle‐gym‐type rigid polyimide gels by supercritical CO₂ drying. By virtue of supercritical CO₂ drying to avoid the collapse of nanostructure, porosity above 90 vol.‐% was achieved. We found a rich variety of nanoporous structures in the range of 50–800 nm such as crisp fragments, minute network, and highly‐connected beads. These characteristic structures were formed by the competitive progress of liquid‐liquid phase separation and crystallization induced due to the two chemical reactions of end‐crosslinking and thermal imidization during gelation.

     

Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized by a Dextran‐Based pH‐ and Temperature‐Sensitive Polymer

A dextran‐based dual‐sensitive polymer is employed to endow gold nanoparticles with stability and pH‐ and temperature‐sensitivity. The dual‐sensitive polymer is prepared by RAFT polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide from trithiocarbonate groups linked to dextran and succinoylation of dextran after polymerization. The functionalized nanoparticles show excellent stability under various conditions and can be stored in powder‐form. UV and DLS measurements confirm that the temperature‐induced optical changes and aggregation behaviors of the particles are strongly dependent on pH.

     

Effect of Turbulent Flow on Coil‐Globule Transition of λ‐DNA

Summary: The addition of spermidine (SPD) into turbulent flow as a condensing agent showed the abrupt change of turbulent drag reducing (DR) efficiency of λ‐DNA in turbulent flow for the first time. The resultant asymptote DR efficiency explains the origin of those changes, which can be conclusively verified via the electrophoresis experiment. Despite the different fluid conditions, with and without condensing agent, all λ‐DNA molecules possessed the same half‐cut dimension, implying that the discrete change of DNA conformation can dramatically alter the flow characteristics.

Coil‐globule transition of DNA by spermidine.