Self Organization and Redox Behavior of Poly(vinylferrocene)-block-Poly(isobutylene)-block-Poly(vinylferrocene) Triblock Copolymer^†

_† Dedicated to the memory of Professor Sukant K. Tripathy

Abstract

Self organization and redox behavior of a ferrocene containing triblock copolymer, poly(vinylferrocene)-block-poly(isobutylene)-block-poly(vinylferrocene), with narrow molecular weight distribution in solutions and in thin films were investigated. Dynamic light scattering studies of the block copolymer in dilute solutions indicated that the polymer chains aggregated at relatively low concentrations. The aggregations of polymer chains were observed in toluene, as well as in tetrahydrofuran at concentrations as low as 0.014 mg/mL and 0.0045 mg/mL, respectively. Thin films of the copolymer showed reversible single electron redox behavior, similar to that of ferrocene. Morphology and micro-phase separation of the copolymer was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy.

Keywords:

• Ferrocene
• triblock copolymer
• aggregation
• micro-phase separation

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation (ECCS-0601602). Part of the research was performed while Ravi Mosurkal and Lian Li held the National Research Council Research Associateship at the US Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Notes

_† Dedicated to the memory of Professor Sukant K. Tripathy