Ordering of Single Conjugated Polymers in a Nematic Liquid Crystal Host

Robin K. Lammi, Karolina P. Fritz, Gregory D. Scholes, Paul F. Barbara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe molecule-by-molecule observations, using single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy, of the ordering of the components in a nematic phase formed by a binary mixture of short and long rods. A stiff conjugated polymer, MEH-PPV (poly[2-methoxy-5-((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)-l,4-phenylenevinylene]), present at very low concentrations in a binary nematic - nematic phase with the mesogen 5CB (4-n-pentyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl) is investigated. We observe near-perfect orientational order of the stiff, rodlike conjugated polymers translating through a planar nematic phase. This represents striking experimental evidence for the predicted enhanced alignment of long rods in the nematic phase of a binary mixture of rods.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4593-4596
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume108
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 15 2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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