Controlling the Self-Assembly of Inorganic Nanoparticles within Conjugated Rod-Coil Block Copolymers

Bryan McCulloch; Rachel Segalman

Controlling the Self-Assembly of Inorganic Nanoparticles within Conjugated Rod-Coil Block Copolymers

POSTER

Abstract

Blends of conjugated polymers and inorganic nanoparticles have been investigated for numerous applications however optimization relies on precise control over the nanoscale morphology. We have designed a conjugated rod-coil block copolymer consisting of poly(3-(2'-ethyl)hexylthiophene)-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P3EHT-b-P2VP) which self assembles into controllable morphologies. Inorganic nanoparticles reside within the P2VP domain due to the favorable interactions between P2VP and the nanoparticle surface as well as the exclusionary effects of the liquid crystalline P3EHT. The nanoparticle location can be tuned by altering nanocrystal surface chemistry. These findings are used to develop a comprehensive understanding of the self assembly processes in conjugated rod-coil block copolymer nanocomposites.

Authors

Bryan McCulloch

Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, University of California - Berkeley
Rachel Segalman

UC Berkeley, Department of Chemical Engineering, UC-Berkeley, University of California, Berkeley, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California , Berkeley, University of California Berkeley, University of California - Berkeley