Synthesis and self-assembly of phthalocyanine-tethered block copolymers

Abstract

A series of novel phthalocyanine (Pc)-tethered block copolymers, Pc-poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polystyrene (Pc-PMMA-b-PS), with various molecular weights (number average molecular weight mass = 41, 66, 86 kg mol⁻¹), were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization and click chemistry. The structurally related Pc-tethered homopolymer, Pc-PMMA was also synthesized for comparison. Pc-PMMA forms homogeneous polymer films containing π-assemblies of the terminal Pc groups, whereas Pc-PMMA-b-PS self-assembles into a cylindrical morphology in which the Pc units show π–π interactions inside the confined PMMA cylinders. Such polymer designs have potential applications in optoelectronic devices.