Fractals are quite normal in nature. However, fractal self-assembly of organic semiconductors remains challenging. Herein, we develop a facile solution assembly route to access organic microwires (MWs) comprising an oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative (OPV-A) with and without branching. Instead of kinetically controlled β-OPV-A microrods (MRs), thermodynamically favored α-OPV-A gives fractal branching MW patterns. As-prepared 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) alloyed assemblies function as seeds to allow for the heteroepitaxial growth of branching α-OPV-A MWs via either coassembly or two-step seeded growth. Consequently, fractal MWs with single- and multisite growth were both achieved, accompanied by tailorable branching densities and hierarchies. Thermodynamic control and a well-matched epitaxial relationship should be crucial to the formation of fractal MW patterns. Importantly, the aligned α-OPV-A MW array functions as a multichannel optical gain medium and exhibits low-threshold amplified spontaneous emission (ASE). The present work deepens the research into fractal self-assembly of functional organic semiconductors.
Keywords: amplified spontaneous emission (ASE); branching microwires; epitaxial growth; fractals; oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) derivative.