What is it about?
A poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) polymer (PCF[5]), bearing two π-rich cone-like calix[5]arene cavities (assembling cores) attached to a rigid p-phenyleneethynylene spacer, was synthesised by a Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reaction. UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies combined with dynamic light scattering measurements provide evidence for the self-assembly of PCF[5] (homopolytopic host molecule) with a complementary C60 fulleropyrrolidine (C60-Pyr) guest in solution, in the construction of a supramolecular polymer network. Atomic force microscopy analysis of PCF[5]/C60-Pyr highlights the formation of a bicontinuous network consisting of a uniform distribution of prominent structures, within a polymeric background forming a biphasic structure.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
The introduction of calix[5]arenes pendant functionalities into the backbone of conducting polymers confers a reversible nature to polymer cross-linking processes, and should ultimately generate new classes of smart polymer materials, in which their macroscopic properties might be turned ‘on’ and ‘off’ by appropriate external stimuli.
Perspectives
Bicontinuous morphologies produced from phase-separated blends may provide an ideal structural motif for creating novel functional materials that require high interfacial area including nanostructured OSCs, membranes and catalysts
Dr Giuseppe Trusso Sfrazzetto
University of Catania
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Supramolecular polymer networks based on calix[5]arene chained poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) and C60fulleropyrrolidine, Supramolecular Chemistry, January 2016, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/10610278.2015.1122788.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
