Synthesis, self-assembly and photophysical properties of oligo(2,5-dihexyloxy-1,4-phenylene vinylene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)

Chun Feng, M. Jose Gonzalez-Alvarez, Yin Song, Isaac Li, Guangyao Zhao, Gregory Molev, Gerald Guerin, Gilbert Walker, Gregory D. Scholes, Ian Manners, Mitchell A. Winnik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe the synthesis and characterization of a family of diblock copolymers with 5 units of a dihexyloxy-phenylenevinylene block (OHPV) connected to a series of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains of different average lengths (12, 45 and 115 PEG units: OHPV5-b-PEG12, OHPV5-b-PEG45, OHPV5-b-PEG115). All three polymers underwent self-assembly in ethanol, a good solvent for the PEG units, but poor for the OHPV segment. The nature of the structures formed depends sensitively on the length of the PEG block. OHPV5-b-PEG115 formed long fiber-like micelles of uniform width, whereas OHPV5-b-PEG45 formed fragile broad ribbons. We also obtained thin ribbons with OHPV5-b-PEG12 but they tend to fold and twist upon themselves. The structures obtained were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), as well as by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, their photophysical properties were examined by UV-vis, steady state fluorescence and fluorescence decay measurements. The results of these experiments indicate that the OHPV groups pack differently in the fiber-like micelles of OHPV5-b-PEG115 than in the lamellar structures formed by OHPV5-b-PEG45.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8875-8887
Number of pages13
JournalSoft matter
Volume10
Issue number44
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 28 2014
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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