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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
Published on: February 7, 2017
A complementary guest induced morphology transition in a two-component multiple H-bonding self-assembly
Tsuyoshi Tazawa1, Shiki Yagai, Yoshihiro Kikkawa
1Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.
Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) dimers self-assemble into flexible fibers. Adding specific molecules transforms these into rigid nanostrips or back into nanofibers, demonstrating controlled nanomaterial assembly.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) derivatives are known for their optoelectronic properties.
- Self-assembly is a key strategy for creating ordered nanostructures.
- Hydrogen-bonding interactions are crucial for directing molecular assembly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembly behavior of OPV dimers functionalized with melamine units.
- To explore the transformation of self-assembled nanostructures through external molecular triggers.
- To demonstrate controlled switching between different nanomaterial morphologies.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of OPV dimers capped with monotopic melamine hydrogen-bonding units.
- Solvent-directed self-assembly in methylcyclohexane.
- Structural characterization of nanostructures using microscopy techniques.
- Investigating morphological changes upon addition of ditopic cyanurates and bismelamine linkers.
Main Results:
- OPV dimers self-assembled into flexible fibrous nanostructures in methylcyclohexane.
- Addition of ditopic cyanurates induced a transformation to rigid nanostrips.
- Subsequent addition of m-xylylene-linked bismelamine reconverted the nanostrips back to nanofibers.
- Demonstrated reversible control over nanomaterial morphology.
Conclusions:
- Melamine-capped OPV dimers exhibit tunable self-assembly properties.
- External molecular inputs can reversibly control the morphology of OPV-based nanomaterials.
- This work provides a platform for designing responsive and switchable supramolecular systems.
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