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Thermoresponsive supramolecular polymer network comprising pyrene-functionalized gold nanoparticles and a chain-folding polydiimide

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:51 authored by Rajendran Vaiyapuri, Barnaby GreenlandBarnaby Greenland, Stuart J Rowan, Howard M Colquhoun, Joanne M Elliott, Wayne Hayes
A thermoresponsive, supramolecular nanocom- posite has been prepared by the addition of pyrenyl functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to a polydiimide that contains receptor residues designed to form defined complexes with pyrene. The novel pyrenyl-functionalized AuNPs (P-AuNPs) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, with surface functionalization confirmed by infrared and UV-visible spectroscopic analyses. Mixing solutions of the P-AuNPs and a p-electron-deficient poly- diimide resulted in the formation of electronically comple- mentary, chain-folded and p-p-stacked complexes, so affording a new supramolecular nanocomposite network which precipitated from solution. The P-AuNPs bind to the polydiimide via p-p stacking interactions to create supramolecular cross- links. UV-visible spectroscopic analysis confirmed the thermally reversible nature of the complexation process, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterize the supramolecular-nanocomposite material. The supramolecular polymer network is insoluble at room temperature, yet may be dissolved at temperatures above 60 °C. The thermal reversibility of this system is maintained over five heat/cool cycles without diminishment of the network characteristics. In contrast to the individual components, the nanocomposite formed self- supporting films, demonstrating the benefit of the supramolecular network in terms of mechanical properties. Control experiments probing the interactions between a model diimide compound that can also form a p-stacked complex with the p- electron rich pyrene units on P-AuNPs showed that, while complexation was readily apparent, precipitation did not occur because a supramolecular cross-linked network system could not be formed with this system.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Macromolecules

ISSN

0024-9297

Publisher

Journal of the American Chemical Society

Issue

13

Volume

45

Page range

5567-5574

Department affiliated with

  • Chemistry Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-04-12

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-04-12

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