Self-Assembly of the Block Copolymer Containing Discotic Mesogens Driven by Liquid Crystalline Ordering Effect

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Block copolymers (BCPs) self-assemble into diverse morphologies.
• Liquid crystalline (LC) moieties influence BCP assembly size and form.
• Triphenylene (HAT) discotic mesogens offer unique self-assembly properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• Synthesize a BCP with an LC block containing HAT mesogens.
• Investigate how enhanced LC order affects BCP self-assembly in solution.
• Explore the tunability of fibril length and formation mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Copolymer synthesis incorporating a liquid crystalline block.
• Solution self-assembly studies of the synthesized block copolymer.
• Doping with discotic mesogens to enhance liquid crystalline order.
• Analysis of fibril formation via nucleation growth and coupling.

Main Results:

• Enhanced π-π interactions and doping significantly increased LC order.
• LC order dictated BCP self-assembly into fibrillar micelles.
• Fibril length was tunable by adjusting dopant concentration.
• Observed two distinct fibril growth modes: nucleation growth and coupling.
• Long-term aging and concentration promoted end-to-end fibril coupling.

Conclusions:

• Liquid crystalline order in BCPs is a powerful tool to control self-assembly.
• Tunable fibril lengths and formation mechanisms were achieved.
• Organogel formation via inter-fibrillar entanglement is possible.
• This work provides insights into designing advanced functional materials.