Published in

American Chemical Society, Macromolecules, 2(44), p. 334-343, 2010

DOI: 10.1021/ma102235r

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Gel Formation and Interpolymer Alkyl Chain Interactions with Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) in Toluene Solution: Results from NMR, SANS, DFT, and Semiempirical Calculations and Their Implications for PFO β-Phase Formation

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Orange circle
Postprint: archiving restricted
  • Must obtain written permission from Editor
  • Must not violate ACS ethical Guidelines
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Interactions between polymer chains of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PF8) have been studied in toluene solution over a wide concentration range using multinuclear NMR spectral and relaxation measurements with both the fully protonated and alkyl chain deuterated polymers, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), together with theoretical calculations using DFT and semiempirical methodologies. Full assignment of the (1)H and (13)C chemical shifts in the NMR spectra of isolated chains of PF8 has been made using DFT, and are in good agreement with spectra in chloroform and in toluene solutions. Somewhat different behavior is seen in toluene solution, where, upon increasing polymer concentration, broadening of the alkyl chain resonances is seen, consistent with interactions between the side chains. Similar behavior is seen with the (2)H resonance of PF8-d(34). In both cases, line-narrowing and restoration of the structured alkyl chain resonances is seen upon studying the spectra of concentrated solutions using the magic angle spinning (MAS) technique, in agreement with the attribution of the broadening to interchain interactions between the octyl groups. Support for this interpretation. comes from (1)H and (13)C spin lattice relaxation time measurements, which also show differences in group dynamics along the alkyl chains. Semiempirical theoretical calculations, using PM3 and PM6 Hamiltonians, add further support to the importance of interactions between the alkyl groups of separate PF8 chains. SANS measurements on PF8 in toluene solutions from very dilute to concentrated solutions, extended to ultrasmall q ranges, provide further insight. Three concentration ranges can be identified. In dilute solutions, the results suggest that PF8 is present as fully dissolved polymer coils. Upon increasing polymer concentration, an intermediate region is observed, in which there are indications of transient contacts between the polymers, which the NMR results suggest involves side chain interactions. As a consequence of interactions between the chains, gel formation occurs. On the basis Of these and previous results, some general considerations are presented upon the solubility and aggregation behavior of PF8, including indications of how interactions between alkyl chains may be important in the stabilization of the so-called beta-phase of PF8.