title: Cationic polythiophene-surfactant self-assembly complexes: phase transitions, optical response, and sensing.
abstract: The absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte poly[3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl)thiophene] (P3TMAHT) were observed to be dramatically altered in the presence of anionic surfactants due to self-assembly through ionic complex formation. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), UV/vis, and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to probe the relationship between the supramolecular complex organization and the photophysical response of P3TMAHT in the presence of industrially important anionic surfactants. Subtle differences in the surfactant mole fraction and chemical structure (e.g., chain length, headgroup charge density, perfluorination) result in marked variations in the range and type of complexes formed, which can be directly correlated to a unique colorimetric and fluorimetric fingerprint. Our results show that P3TMAHT has potential as an optical sensor for anionic surfactants capable of selectively identifying distinct structural subgroups through dual mode detection.
authors: School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland. raevans@tcd.ie
authors: Rachel C
authors: RC
authors: Evans
authors: Matti
authors: M
authors: Knaapila
authors: Niamh
authors: N
authors: Willis-Fox
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Kraft
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Terry
authors: Hugh D
authors: HD
authors: Burrows
authors: Ullrich
authors: U
authors: Scherf
mesh_terms: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D055620:Optical Phenomena; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D011108:Polymers; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D013876:Thiophenes; C577015:poly(3-(6-trimethylammoniumhexyl)thiophene); C066730:polythiophene; C076994:perfluorooctane sulfonic acid; C042005:1-octanesulfonic acid