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Published on: August 2, 2012
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Imaging deposition-dependent supramolecular chiral organisation
C Elizabeth Killalea1,2, Mario Samperi1, Giuliano Siligardi3
1School of Chemistry and GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|March 17, 2022
Summary
Spatially-defined Mueller Matrix Polarimetry revealed how thin film deposition methods impact chiral supramolecular structures. Drop-coating created diverse chiral arrangements, unlike the uniform spun-coated films, a difference missed by other techniques.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Optical Physics
Background:
- Chiral diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives are important in materials science.
- Controlling supramolecular structure in thin films is crucial for material properties.
- Conventional spectroscopy methods may not fully characterize chiral structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of deposition techniques on the chiral supramolecular organization of a diketopyrrolopyrrole derivative.
- To demonstrate the capability of Mueller Matrix Polarimetry in probing chiral structures.
- To compare the chiroptical properties of films prepared by different methods.
Main Methods:
- Thin film fabrication using spin-coating and drop-coating.
- Spatially-defined Mueller Matrix Polarimetry (MMP) imaging.
- Analysis of Circular Dichroism (CD) signals.
Main Results:
- Spun-coated films exhibited homogeneous chiral supramolecular structures.
- Drop-coated films displayed significant chiroptical diversity.
- MMP imaging revealed structural variations invisible to absorption spectroscopy and optical microscopy.
Conclusions:
- Deposition technique critically affects supramolecular chirality in thin films.
- Mueller Matrix Polarimetry is a powerful tool for characterizing chiral materials.
- Drop-coating offers a route to engineer chiroptical diversity in thin films.
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