title: Synthesis and thin film phase behaviour of functional rod-coil block copolymers based on poly(para-phenylenevinylene) and poly(lactic acid).
abstract: We report the synthesis of a series of block copolymers consisting of a rod-like semiconducting poly(2,5-di(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (DEH-PPV) block and a flexible poly(lactic acid) (PLA) block that can be selectively degraded under mild conditions. Such selectively degradable block copolymers are designed as self-assembling templates for bulk heterojunction donor-acceptor layers in organic solar cells. A lamellar microphase-separated domain structure was identified for block copolymers with PLA volume fractions between 29 and 79% in bulk and thin films using SAXS, TEM, and AFM. Depending on the ratio of the two blocks we find either lamellae oriented parallel or perpendicular to the substrate in thin films.
authors.affiliation: Freiburger Materialforschungszentrum & Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies, Universität Freiburg, Stefan-Meier-Str. 21, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schöpf
authors.forename: Chheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ngov
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brochon
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hadziioannou
authors.forename: Edward J W
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Crossland
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ludwigs
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D044367:Phase Transition; D011091:Polyesters; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D012666:Semiconductors; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014753:Vinyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D011145:Polyvinyls; D014753:Vinyl Compounds; C470024:poly(4-phenylenevinylene); D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D012825:Silicon