Hybrid 2D nanofibers based on poly(ethylene oxide)/polystyrene matrix and poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) as functional agents

Template smart inorganic polymers within an organic polymeric matrix to form hybrid nanostructured materials are a unique approach to induce novel multifunctionality. In particular, the fabrication of one-dimensional materials via electrospinning is an advanced tool, which has gained success in fulfilling the purpose to fabricate two-dimensional nanostructured materials. We have explored the formation of novel hybrid nanofibers by co-spinning of poly(ferrocenylphosphinoboranes) Fe A [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4CH2PHBH2)}( n)] and Fe B [{Fe(C5H5)(C5H4PHBH2)}( n)] with poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polystyrene (PS). Fe A and Fe B contain main-group elements and a ferrocene moiety as pendent group and have different properties compared to their only carbon-containing counterparts. The use of PEO and polystyrene provided a matrix to spin those inorganic polymers as hybrid nanofibers which were collected in the form of a nonwoven mat. They were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and IR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the polymers have been checked by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). H-1, P-31, and B-11 NMR and IR spectroscopy revealed the nature and types of interactions of the components after co-spinning. The SEM micrographs identify the underlying unidirectional morphology of the generated hybrid nanofibers. Nonetheless, the DSC and TGA confirmed the significant boost toward the thermal stability of the resultant multifunctional fibers. It is believed that these unique types of multifunctional electrospun nanofibers will open new avenues toward the next generation of miniaturized devices.