A design principle of polymers processable into 2D homeotropic order

Zhen Chen, Yi-Tsu Chan, Daigo Miyajima, Takashi Kajitani (), Atsuko Kosaka, Takanori Fukushima (), Jose M. Lobez and Takuzo Aida ()
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Zhen Chen: School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Yi-Tsu Chan: School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Daigo Miyajima: RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science
Takashi Kajitani: RIKEN Advanced Science Institute
Atsuko Kosaka: RIKEN Advanced Science Institute
Takanori Fukushima: RIKEN Advanced Science Institute
Jose M. Lobez: School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
Takuzo Aida: School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract How to orient polymers homeotropically in thin films has been a long-standing issue in polymer science because polymers intrinsically prefer to lie down. Here we provide a design principle for polymers that are processable into a 2D homeotropic order. The key to this achievement was a recognition that cylindrical polymers can be designed to possess oppositely directed local dipoles in their cross-section, which possibly force polymers to tightly connect bilaterally, affording a 2D rectangular assembly. With a physical assistance of the surface grooves on Teflon sheets that sandwich polymer samples, homeotropic ordering is likely nucleated and gradually propagates upon hot-pressing towards the interior of the film. Consequently, the 2D rectangular lattice is constructed such that its b axis (side chains) aligns along the surface grooves, while its c axis (polymer backbone) aligns homeotropically on a Teflon sheet. This finding paves the way to molecularly engineered 2D polymers with anomalous functions.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13640

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