Preparation of conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry from star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals

New conjugated polymeric columns with a hexagonal symmetry were prepared via topochemical polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals formed by hydrogen bonding between a phloroglucinol core and pyridine derivatives containing a diacetylenic group in the alkyl chain. The mesomorphic properties of the supramolecular monomer and its photopolymerisation behaviour were investigated. The supramolecular liquid crystal exhibited a rectangular columnar mesophase. Photopolymerisation of supramolecular monomer along the column axis in the liquid crystalline state provided well-ordered conjugated polydiacetylenic columns with a two-dimensional hexagonal symmetry. Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy affirmed that conjugated polydiacetylenes were produced by 1,4-polymerisation of the supramolecular monomer along the column axis. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that a two-dimensional columnar order in the supramolecular monomer was maintained after photopolymerisation, and that the resulting polydiacetylene had a hexagonal array of conjugated columns. Our controlled methodology provides a new route to conjugated polymeric columns with highly ordered structures by self-assembly and polymerisation of star-shaped supramolecular liquid crystals.     

Self-assembled discotic liquid crystals formed by hydrogen bonding of alkoxystilbazoles

A series of discotic liquid crystals formed by simple hydrogen bonding between phloroglucinol core and alkoxystilbazole peripheral units was prepared. Nematic columnar and hexagonal columnar mesophases were observed depending on the length of alkyl chains around the aromatic core.     

Complexation of Silver Ions with Poly(butyl methacrylate) and Propylene Toward Facilitated Propylene Transport

Silver salts are dissolved in poly(butyl methacrylate) to derive polymer electrolytes via coordinative interaction between the silver ion and the carbonyl oxygen atom. The dissolved silver ions react subsequently with propylene to form reversible silver/olefin complexes that can be utilized as olefin carriers for facilitated olefin transport. The complexation behavior and its effects on propylene transport were investigated by means of Raman and FT‐IR spectroscopy, as well as dielectric thermal analysis.     

Radiation‐Grafted Fluoropolymers Soaked with Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids for High‐Performance Ionic Polymer–Metal Composite Actuators

On purpose to develop a polymer actuator with high stability in air‐operation as well as large bending displacement, a series of ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMC) was constructed with poly(styrene sulfonate)‐grafted fluoropolymers as ionomeric matrix and immidazolium‐based ionic liquids (IL) as inner solvent. The prepared IPMC actuators exhibited greatly enhanced bending displacement compared to Nafion‐based actuators. The actuators were stable in air‐operation, maintaining initial displacement for up to 10⁴ cycles or 24 h. Investigating the material parameters and morphology of the IPMCs, high ion exchange capacity of the ionomers resulted in high ion conductivity and robust electrode of IPMC, which synergistically contributed to the high bending performance.