Synthesis of block copolymers consisting of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and polystyrene segments through ionic interaction and their self-assembly behavior

Abstract

A series of well-defined aniline-chain-end-functionalized regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene)s (P3HT-NH(2)) have been successfully synthesized on the basis of Grignard metathesis polymerization. The molecular weights of P3HT-NH2 could be varied from 1960 to 28 000 g mol(-1) with low polydispersity indices in the range of 1.06-1.29, as determined by gel permeation chromotography. The selectivity of monofunctionalization reactions and the high degrees of amine functionality (85-92%) were confirmed by Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. Block copolymers through ionic interaction were successfully synthesized by simply blending P3HT-NH(2) with carboxy chain-end-functionalized polystyrene, which was prepared on the basis of living anionic polymerization. The thermal and optical properties of block copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, Thermogravimetric analysis and UV-vis spectroscopy. The self-assembly behavior of the polymer was investigated by atomic force microscopy and grazing incidence X-ray scattering. Polymer Journal (2010) 42, 43-50; doi:10.1038/pj.2009.312