Engineering topochemical polymerizations using block copolymer templates

J Am Chem Soc. 2014 Sep 24;136(38):13381-7. doi: 10.1021/ja507318u. Epub 2014 Sep 11.

Abstract

With the aim to achieve rapid and efficient topochemical polymerizations in the solid state, via solution-based processing of thin films, we report the integration of a diphenyldiacetylene monomer and a poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid) block copolymer template for the generation of supramolecular architectural photopolymerizable materials. This strategy takes advantage of non-covalent interactions to template a topochemical photopolymerization that yields a polydiphenyldiacetylene (PDPDA) derivative. In thin films, it was found that hierarchical self-assembly of the diacetylene monomers by microphase segregation of the block copolymer template enhances the topochemical photopolymerization, which is complete within a 20 s exposure to UV light. Moreover, UV-active cross-linkable groups were incorporated within the block copolymer template to create micropatterns of PDPDA by photolithography, in the same step as the polymerization reaction. The materials design and processing may find potential uses in the microfabrication of sensors and other important areas that benefit from solution-based processing of flexible conjugated materials.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Acetylene / chemistry*
  • Acrylates / chemistry*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemical synthesis*
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Polymerization*
  • Polystyrenes / chemistry*
  • Polyynes / chemical synthesis*
  • Polyynes / chemistry
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Acrylates
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Polystyrenes
  • poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid)
  • Polyynes
  • diphenyl
  • Acetylene