Poly(3‐hexyl thiophene)‐b‐poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide): Synthesis and its composition dependent structural, solubility, thermoresponsive, electrochemical, and electronic properties. Issue 12 (19th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumari, Pallavi; Khawas, Koomkoom; Hazra, Sunit; Kuila, Biplab Kumar
• Is Part Of: Journal of polymer science. Volume 54:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1785
• Page End: 1794
• Publication Date: 2016-01-19
• Subjects: block copolymer -- conjugated polymer -- self‐assembly; 547
• DOI: 10.1002/pola.28040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-624X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Conjugated block copolymers consisting of poly(3‐hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) and a thermoresponsive polymer poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) with varying composition have been synthesized by facile click reaction between alkyne terminated P3HT and azide terminated PNIPAM. The composition‐dependent solubility, thermoresponsive property in water, phase behavior, electrochemical, optical, and electronic properties of the block copolymers were systematically investigated. The block copolymers with higher volume fraction of PNIPAM form thermoresponsive spherical micelles with P3HT‐rich crystalline cores and PNIPAM coronas. Both X‐ray and atomic force microscopic studies indicated that the blocks copolymers showed well‐defined microphase separated nanostructures and the structure depended on the composition of the blocks. The electrochemical study of the block copolymers clearly demonstrated that the extent of charge transport through the block copolymer thin film was similar to P3HT homopolymer without any significant change in the band gap. The block copolymers showed improved or similar charge carrier mobility compared with the pure P3HT depending on the composition of the block copolymer. These P3HT‐ b ‐PNIPAM copolymers were interesting for fabrication of optoelectronic devices capable of thermal and moisture sensing as well as for studying the thermoresponsive colloidal structures of semiconductor amphiphilic systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2016, 54, 1785–1794 Abstract : P3HT‐ b ‐PNIPAMs of varying compositions were synthesized by a facile click reaction. The composition‐dependent solubility, thermoresponsive property in water, phase behavior, and electrochemical and electronic properties of these block copolymers were investigated. In aqueous solution, block copolymers with higher volume fraction of PNIPAM self‐assemble into thermosensitive spherical micelles with P3HT‐rich crystalline cores and PNIPAM coronas. The block copolymers show improved or similar charge carrier mobility compared with pure P3HT depending on the composition of the block copolymer.