Journal Article

FZJ-2017-07419

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png A self-assembly toolbox for thiophene-based conjugated polyelectrolytes: surfactants, solvent and copolymerisation

Houston, J. E. (Corresponding author)FZJ* ; Chevrier, M. ; Appavou, M.-S.FZJ* ; King, S. M. ; Clément, S. (Corresponding author) ; Evans, R. C. (Corresponding author)

2017
RSC Publ. Cambridge

This record in other databases:      

Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/19683  doi:10.1039/C7NR06169B

Abstract: Targeted control of the aggregation, morphology and optical properties of conjugated polymers is critical for the development of high performance optoelectronic devices. Here, self-assembly approaches are used to strategically manipulate the order, conformation and spatial distribution of conjugated polymers in solution and subsequently prepared thin films. The supramolecular complex organisation of phosphonium-functionalised homo- (P3HTPMe3) and diblock (P3HT-b-P3HTPMe3) ionic conjugated polythiophenes upon solvent-mediation and co-assembly with oppositely charged surfactants is investigated. UV/Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) are used to probe the organisation and photophysical response of the aggregates formed. Subtle differences in the surfactant mole fraction and structure, as well as the solvent polarity, yield differences in the nature of the resultant homopolyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes. In contrast, only moderate structural transformations are observed for the amphiphilic diblock copolyelectrolyte, emphasising the structure “anchoring” effect of a neutral polymer block when amphiphilic copolymers are dissolved in polar solvents. These results highlight the versatility of self-assembly to access a range of nanomorphologies, which could be crucial for the design of the next generation of organic optoelectronic devices.

Keyword(s): Energy (1st) ; Soft Condensed Matter (2nd)

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. JCNS-FRM-II (JCNS (München) ; Jülich Centre for Neutron Science JCNS (München) ; JCNS-FRM-II)
2. Neutronenstreuung (Neutronenstreuung ; JCNS-1)

Research Program(s):

1. 144 - Controlling Collective States (POF3-144) (POF3-144)
2. 6213 - Materials and Processes for Energy and Transport Technologies (POF3-621) (POF3-621)
3. 6G15 - FRM II / MLZ (POF3-6G15) (POF3-6G15)
4. 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron Research (JCNS) (POF3-623) (POF3-623)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2017

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; NCBI Molecular Biology Database ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Thomson Reuters Master Journal List ; Web of Science Core Collection

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