Molecular wire formation from poly[2, 7-(9, 9-dioctylfluorene)-alt-(5, 5′-bithiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)] polyrotaxane copolymer. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Farcas, Aurica; Aubert, Pierre-Henri; Mohanty, Jyotirmayee; Lazar, Alexandra I.; Cantin, Sophie; Nau, Werner M.
• Is Part Of: European polymer journal. Volume 62(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 124
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Cucurbit[7]uril-CB7 -- Supramolecular chemistry -- Fluorescence -- Linear ribbons -- Self-organization -- Surface free-energy; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; Polymerization; Polymers; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2014.11.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-3057

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The morphology, the optical and electrochemical behavior, as well as the surface free-energies were investigated. The polyrotaxane exhibited less conformational flexibility and a higher tendency to organize into linear ribbons. PF-BTCB7 could be used in the area of organic semiconductors for optoelectronics. Abstract: The optical, electrochemical, morphology as well as surface free-energies of poly[(9, 9-dioctylfluorene- alt -bithiophene/cucurbit[7]uril)] (PF-BTCB7 ) have been investigated and compared with those of the reference PF-BT . The absorption of PF-BTCB7 and PF-BT extend beyond 500 nm; the maxima appear at 390 and 450 nm, respectively. The fluorescence quantum yield decreases from 0.5 for PF-BT to 0.4 for PF-BTCB7, while the fluorescence lifetime follow an opposite trend. The presence of the CB7 macrocycle affects the LUMO more than the HOMO one, which leads to a larger energy gap (2.72 vs 2.60 eV). Atomic force microscopy, AFM, indicated a better tendency of PF-BTCB7 to organize into extended linear ribbons, i.e., molecular wires, as compared to PF-BT, which arranged into short C-shaped assemblies. The advancing contact angles indicated also higher surface free-energy values for PF-BTCB7 than PF-BT, affording materials with a slight tendency of intermolecular interactions.