title: Oligo(FcDC-co-CholDEA) with ferrocene in the main chain and cholesterol as a pendant group-preparation and unusual properties.
abstract: With ever-increasing need for thin, flexible, and functional materials in electrochemical systems, various techniques have been explored for creating materials used in fuel cells, batteries, electrochromic devices, solar cells, and sensors. In the present study, a novel ferrocene (Fc) and cholesterol (Chol)-containing oligomer, oligo(FcDC-co-CholDEA), was specially designed and prepared by putting Fc in the main chain and Chol as a side group. MALDI-TOF MS and freezing point depression measurements revealed that in average each oligomer contains three Fc units and three Chol units. Cyclic voltammetric measurements revealed that the oligomer displays superior electrochemical stability if compared with other Fc derivatives containing only one Fc unit and one or two Chol unit and with poly(ferrocenylsilane) with Fc in the main chain. In particular, the Fc-containing oligomer possesses an unusual oxidation center, of which the oxidation potential could be as high as 1.81 V. The oligomer is also superior in self-assembly, as demonstrated by forming an LB film of layered structures. Furthermore, supramolecular films with high mechanical strength in the wet state can be prepared by employing a simple solution casting method. This finding demonstrates that self-assembly is a simple but effective way to create films of potential uses in real-life applications provided proper building blocks are designed and employed.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, MOE, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China.
authors.forename: Junlin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuanhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.forename: Panli
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang