Diblock copolymers poly(3-hexylthiophene)-block-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-random-1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate), controlled synthesis and optical properties

In this research, diblock copolymers based on the rod segment of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a coil segment of poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-random-1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate) (P(DMAEMA-r-PyMA)) was synthesized successfully by Grignard metathesis (GRIM) method and atom transfer radical polymerization reaction (ATRP). The obtained copolymer was well-defined with an average molecular weight of 11300 g/mol and low polydispersity below 1.5. The polymer structure was determined via gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) spectroscopies. In addition, the optical and thermal properties of polymers were characterized via ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Interestingly, P3HT-b-P(DMAEMA-r-PyMA) was examined as a possible chemosensor for trace detection of the trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive.

Automated summary

In this research, diblock copolymers consisting of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-random-1-pyrenylmethyl methacrylate) (P(DMAEMA-r-PyMA)) were successfully synthesized using Grignard metathesis (GRIM) method and atom transfer radical polymerization reaction (ATRP). The copolymer exhibited well-defined structure with average molecular weight of 11300 g/mol and low polydispersity below 1.5. The structure of the polymer was characterized using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, the optical and thermal properties of the polymers were analyzed using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Interestingly, P3HT-b-P(DMAEMA-r-PyMA) was found to have potential as a chemosensor for trace detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) explosive.