ABSTRACT
We developed a novel block copolymer composed of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polymethacrylate functionalized with liquid–cryst-alline oligothiophene by using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), aiming at application to organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. Thermal investigation showed that the resultant polymer exhibits liquid–crystalline phases both on heating and cooling. Morphologies of the thin films of the block copolymer were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Microphase separation with a small size of almost 10 nm (nano-phase-separated structures) was observed upon annealing.
Funding
This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP15K13712, JP15H01095, JP16H04157, JP17H05271, and JP17K19161.