Microscopic Morphology of Polyfluorene–Poly(ethylene oxide) Block Copolymers: Influence of the Block Ratio

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the synthesis and characterization of poly(9,9′‐dioctylfluorene)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PF‐PEO) block copolymers with different block ratio and molecular architectures (diblock or triblock copolymers). Tapping‐mode atomic force microscopy is used to investigate the relationship between the molecular structure and the microscopic morphology of thin deposits. Copolymers with a low average volume ratio of PEO (fEO from 0.1 to 0.3) exhibit a well‐defined organization into nanoribbons. A model of chain packing is proposed; these structures arise from the interplay of π–π interactions between conjugated PF segments and the interactions of PEO with the mica substrate surface. For copolymers with higher average volume ratio of PEO (fEO > 0.4), the organized structures disappear and lead to untextured aggregates, probably because long‐range, regular π–π stacking of the segments can no longer take place. We also observe that the nature of the solvent from which deposits are grown and the substrate polarity have a strong impact on the microscopic morphology.

Size Control of Spherical and Anisotropic Fluorescent Polymer Nanoparticles via Precise Rigid Molecules

“…Repeating those three steps with OPE 9 as a starting material gives HO-OPE 10 , HO-OPE 21 -OH, OPE 21 , and HO-OPE 22 . Because of an insufficient reaction time during the synthesis of HO-OPE 21 -OH, Iodo-OPE 11 -OH was likewise obtained in 14% yield.…”

Polyfluorenes

“…Rod-coil block copolymers consisting of conjugated segments connected with flexible segments have been the subject of extensive studies because of their unusual morphologies and photophysical behavior in both solution and solid state [171][172][173][174][175][176]. For this kind of block copolymers, a combination of complementary virtues from both rod and coil blocks can be envisioned.…”

Self-assembly and micellization of amphiphilic rod–coil block oligomer at the mica–water interface

“…Rod-coil block molecules, as a typical example of selforganizing materials, are capable of forming various ordered nanostructures in solution, at bulk state, and on a solid surface, such as spherical, lamellar, honeycomb structures, and so on [5][6][7]. When π -conjugated rods are incorporated into the rod-coil block molecules, their function and application in microelectronics and light-emitting devices are based on, to a large extent, their self-assembling nanostructure and microscopic morphology on solid surfaces [8][9][10]. However, as far as we know, little attention has been paid to the adsorption and self-assembly of amphiphilic π -conjugated rod-coil block molecules at the interface between an aqueous solution and a solid substrate.…”