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Supramolecular Assembly of Oriented Spherulitic Crystals of Conjugated Polymers Surrounding Carbon Nanotube Fibers
Author(s) -
Armas Jeremy A.,
Reynolds Karina J.,
Marsh Zachary M.,
FernándezBlázquez Juan P.,
Ayala Denzel,
Cronin Adam D.,
Del Aguila Jeremy,
Fideldy Rikki,
Abdou John P.,
Bilger David W.,
Vilatela Juan J.,
Stefik Morgan,
Scott Gregory E.,
Zhang Shanju
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
macromolecular rapid communications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.348
H-Index - 154
eISSN - 1521-3927
pISSN - 1022-1336
DOI - 10.1002/marc.201900098
Subject(s) - lamellar structure , materials science , carbon nanotube , crystallization , polymer , nanotube , nucleation , supramolecular chemistry , conjugated system , nanotechnology , crystallization of polymers , supramolecular polymers , composite material , chemical engineering , crystallography , crystal structure , chemistry , organic chemistry , engineering
The directed assembly of conjugated polymers into macroscopic organization with controlled orientation and placement is pivotal in improving device performance. Here, the supramolecular assembly of oriented spherulitic crystals of poly(3‐butylthiophene) surrounding a single carbon nanotube fiber under controlled solvent evaporation of solution‐cast films is reported. Oriented lamellar structures nucleate on the surface of the nanotube fiber in the form of a transcrystalline interphase. The factors influencing the formation of transcrystals are investigated in terms of chemical structure, crystallization temperature, and time. Dynamic process measurements exhibit the linear growth of transcrystals with time. Microstructural analysis of transcrystals reveals individual lamellar organization and crystal polymorphism. The form II modification occurs at low temperatures, while both form I and form II modifications coexist at high temperatures. A possible model is presented to interpret transcrystallization and polymorphism.