Research Projects

supramolecular polymers are a fascinating material with stimuli-responsive properties and functions. Living supramolecular polymerization processes have extended the toolbox of non-covalent synthesis, leading to the development of supramolecular block copolymers with precise chain lengths and molecular weight distributions. This project aims to synthesize supramolecular block copolymers from electronically dissimilar monomers using the principles of kinetically controlled seed-induced living supramolecular polymerization. These supramolecular copolymers with monodisperse and segmented structures based on various π-conjugated systems would be ideal candidates for applications in organic optical, electrical, and opto-electronic devices. Various nitrogen and boron-centered discotic molecules will be synthesized, functionalized with different electron-donating and electron-withdrawing units. The interaction between nitrogen and boron forms a Lewis acid base pair, which will help stitch donor and acceptor molecules within the supramolecular block copolymer, creating donor-acceptor heterojunctions. The target molecules will also be functionalized with bisimide groups to retard spontaneous supramolecular polymerization under thermodynamic conditions. The seeds of the supramolecular polymers of donor and acceptor molecules formed under kinetic conditions will be mixed with the electronically dissimilar monomers to create supramolecular block copolymers. Detailed investigation on the thermodynamic, kinetic, and pathway complexity of newly synthesised supramolecular block copolymers and homopolymers using various spectroscopic and microscopic analysis is planned. Finally, steady state and time-resolved photophysical studies will be performed to explore their potential use in optical and optoelectronic device applications.