Nanocomposites of hairy-rod macromolecules: Concepts, constructs, and materials

The rational construction of nanocomposites based on so-called hairy-rod macromolecules (HRM) is the objective of this review covering 15 years of extensive research at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research HRM are described as shape-persistent objects, which are processed into ultrathin films by the Langmuir-Blodgett protocol. Transfer of monolayers initially formed on the water surface to solid substrates is understood as a two-dimensional analogue of an extrusion process giving rise to molecular orientation phenomena. The scope of HMR concerning chemical composition and molecular architecture is reviewed, and examples of how to obtain complex constructs having device functions are given. Recent work on hairy-rod polyelectrolytes based on poly(p-phenylene sulfonates)s is summarized as well, and their ability to form hierarchical superstructures in aqueous solution is present.