title: Helical polyacetylene synthesized with a chiral nematic reaction field
abstract: Helical polyacetylene was synthesized under an asymmetric reaction field consisting of chiral nematic (N*) liquid crystals (LCs). The chiral nematic LC was prepared by adding a chiroptical binaphthol derivative as a chiral dopant to a mixture of two nematic LCs. Acetylene polymerizations were carried out using the catalyst titanium tetra-n-butoxide-triethylaluminum dissolved in the chiral nematic LC solvent. The polyacetylene film was shown by scanning electron microscopy to consist of clockwise or counterclockwise helical structure of fibrils. A Cotton effect was observed in the region of the pi --> pi* transition of the polyacetylene chain in circular dichroism spectra. The high electrical conductivities of approximately 1500 to 1800 siemens per centimeter after iodine doping and the chiral helicity of these films may be exploited in electromagnetic and optical applications.
authors.affiliation: K. Akagi, G. Piao, H. Shirakawa, Institute of Materials Science and Center of Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573, Japan. S. Kaneko, K. Sakamaki, Institute of Materials Science, University of Tsukuba, T.
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Akagi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakamaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shirakawa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kyotani