Supramolecular assembly of a poly(ionic liquid) ABC triblock copolymer with monovalent halogen bond donors

Abstract

This study demonstrates the interplay between halogen bonds and π–π stacking in ionic block copolymers, which directs the formation of supramolecular assemblies with tunable nanoscale architectures. Using pentafluoroiodobenzene and nonafluoro-1-iodobutane as halogen bond donors, with chloride counter anions as halogen bond acceptors, the results reveal stoichiometry-dependent changes in self-assembly, confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, isothermal titration calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and microscopic analyses.