Synthesis and characterization of polydiacetylene films and nanotubes

Langmuir. 2008 Oct 21;24(20):11947-54. doi: 10.1021/la801948z. Epub 2008 Sep 27.

Abstract

We report here the synthesis and characterization of polydiacetylene (PDA) films and nanotubes using layer-by-layer (LBL) chemistry. 10,12-Docosadiyndioic acid (DCDA) monomer was self-assembled on flat surfaces and inside of nanoporous alumina templates. UV irradiation of DCDA provided polymerized-DCDA (PDCDA) films and nanotubes. We have used zirconium-carboxylate interlayer chemistry to synthesize PDCDA multilayers on flat surfaces and in nanoporous template. PDCDA multilayers were characterized using optical (UV-vis, fluorescence, ellipsometry, FTIR) spectroscopies, ionic current-voltage ( I- V) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Ellipsometry, FTIR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies showed a uniform DCDA deposition at each deposition cycle. Our optical spectroscopic analysis indicates that carboxylate-zirconium interlinking chemistry is robust. To explain the disorganization in the alkyl portion of PDCDA multilayer films, we propose carboxylate-zirconium interlinkages act as "locks" in between PDCDA layers which restrict the movement of alkyl portion in the films. Because of this locking, the induced-stresses in the polymer chains can not be efficiently relieved. Our ionic resistance data from I- V analysis correlate well with calculated resistance at smaller number of PDCDA layers but significantly deviated for thicker PDCDA nanotubes. These differences were attributed to ion-blocking because some of the PDCDA nanotubes were totally closed and the nonohmic and permselective ionic behaviors when the diameter of the pores approaches the double-layer thickness of the solution inside of the nanotubes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Carboxylic Acids / chemistry
  • Equipment Design
  • Ions
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Models, Statistical
  • Nanotechnology / instrumentation
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Polyacetylene Polymer
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyynes / chemistry*
  • Quartz
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence / methods
  • Spectrophotometry / methods
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / methods
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared / methods
  • Zirconium / chemistry

Substances

  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Ions
  • Polyacetylene Polymer
  • Polymers
  • Quartz
  • Polyynes
  • polydiacetylene
  • Zirconium