title: Organophosphorus avenues toward self-assembled conjugated soft materials.
abstract: Self-assembly is nature's most powerful tool for constructing the physical world. Self-assembly has also become an important theme in organic materials research. Within our research program on π-conjugated organophosphorus materials, we have recently aimed to combine the unique optoelectronic properties of organophosphorus building blocks with self-assembly features. Our novel organophosphorus-based chromophore mesogens self-assemble into complex structures, such as liquid crystals and organogels. More importantly, intriguing optoelectronic properties not present in the original building blocks are also produced as a result. These results have opened up a rich chemistry toward smart functional materials that is currently being further exploited in our group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Centre for Advanced Solar Materials, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
authors.forename: Zisu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
keywords: gels; liquid crystals; phosphorus heterocycles; photophysics; self-assembly