A supramolecular approach to optically anisotropic materials: Photosensitive ionic self-assembly complexes

Application of the supramolecular-synthesis strategy ionic self-assembly for the facile production of low-molecular-weight photo-addressable materials (see figure) is presented. The materials have good film-forming properties, long-term thermal stability, and, most importantly, dichroic ratios of 50

Directed reactions within confined reaction environments: Polyadditions in polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes

Polyaddition reactions performed within a highly ordered polyelectrolyte-surfactant monomer complex of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride and di(undecenyl) phosphate give a 1:1 copy of the original lamellar host structure. No phase disruption or disordering occurs during the reaction. The phase morphology of the host before and after swelling and after polymerization is investigated by small-angle-X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The polymer symplex has an improved thermal and mechanical stability.Articl

Structured Oligo(aniline) Nanofilms via Ionic Self-Assembly

Conducting polymers have shown great potential for application in electronic devices. A major challenge in such applications is to control the supramolecular structures these materials form to optimise the functionality. In this work we probe the structure of oligo(aniline) thin films (of sub-μm thickness) drop cast on a silicon substrate using synchrotron surface diffraction. Self-assembly was induced through doping with an acid surfactant, bis(ethyl hexyl) phosphate (BEHP), resulting in the formation of well-ordered lamellae with the d-spacing ranging from 2.15 nm to 2.35 nm. The exact structural characteristics depended both on the oligomer chain length and film thickness, as well as the doping ratio. Complementary UV/Vis spectroscopy measurements confirm that such thin films retain their bulk electronic properties. Our results point to a simple and effective ionic self-assembly approach to prepare thin films with well-defined structures by tailoring parameters such as the oligomer molecular architecture, the nanofilm composition and the interfacial roughness

Block-like electroactive oligo(aniline)s: anisotropic structures with anisotropic function

A tetra(aniline)-alkyl diblock compound was designed, synthesized and fully characterized. By employing suitable conditions, doped, electroactive microstructures could be prepared. The microstructures were characterized in detail and their anisotropic conductivity measured for the first time