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Rahmayanti W, Nagarajan S, Sun YS, Woo EM. Iridescent Features Correlating with Periodic Assemblies in Custom-Crystallized Arylate Polyesters. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15538. [PMID: 37958521 PMCID: PMC10650520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, five different aryl polyesters, i.e., poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT), poly(octamethylene terephthalate) (POT), poly(nonamethylene terephthalate) (PNT), and poly(decamethylene terephthalate) (PDT), upon crystallization at a suitable temperature range, all exhibit ring-banded spherulites with universal characteristics. Previous research has revealed some fundamental mechanisms underlying the formation of periodic hierarchical structures. Additionally, this study further explored correlations among micro/nanocrystal assemblies in the top surface and internal grating architectures and the structural iridescent properties. The interior lamellar assembly of arylate polyesters' banded spherulites is shown to exhibit periodic birefringence patterns that are highly reminiscent of those found in a variety of biological structures, with the capacity for iridescence from light interference. A laser diffraction analysis was also used to support confirmation of this condition, which could result in an arc diffraction pattern indicative of the presence of ringed spherulites. Among the five arylate polyesters, only PET is incapable of regularly producing ring-banded morphology, and thus cannot produce any iridescent color.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ya-Sen Sun
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan; (W.R.); (S.N.)
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan; (W.R.); (S.N.)
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Wu CN, Nagarajan S, Lee LT, Su CC, Woo EM. Microbeam X-ray Reanalysis on Periodically Assembled Poly(β-Hydroxybutyric acid-Co-β-hydroxyvaleric acid) Tailored with Diluents. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3484. [PMID: 37631541 PMCID: PMC10457736 DOI: 10.3390/polym15163484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-assembly of 3D interiors and iridescence properties of poly(β-hydroxybutyric acid-co-β-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV) periodic crystals are examined using microcopy techniques and microbeam X-ray diffraction. Morphology of PHBV can be tailored by crystallizing in presence of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) or poly(trimethylene adipate) (PTA) for displaying desired periodicity patterns. The regular alternate-layered lamellae of banded PHBV crystal aggregates, resembling the structures the natural mineral moonstone or nacre, are examined to elaborate the origin of light interference and formation mechanisms of periodic lamellar aggregation of PHBV spherulites. By using PHBV as a convenient model and the crystal diffraction data, this continuing work demonstrates unique methodology for effectively studying the periodic assembly in widely varying polymers with similar aggregates. Grating structures in periodically assembled polymer crystals can be tailored for microstructure with orderly periodicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ning Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Li-Ting Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Feng Chia University, Taichung 407, Taiwan;
| | - Chean-Cheng Su
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, No. 700, Kaohsiung University Rd., Nan-Tzu Dist., Kaohsiung 811, Taiwan;
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701, Taiwan;
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Yang CE, Nagarajan S, Rahmayanti W, Su CC, Woo EM. From Nano-Crystals to Periodically Aggregated Assembly in Arylate Polyesters-Continuous Helicoid or Discrete Cross-Hatch Grating? NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:1016. [PMID: 36985910 PMCID: PMC10052005 DOI: 10.3390/nano13061016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This work used several model arylate polymers with the number of methylene segment n = 3, 9, 10, and 12, which all crystallized to display similar types of periodically banded spherulites at various Tc and kinetic factors. Universal mechanisms of nano- to microscale crystal-by-crystal self-assembly to final periodic aggregates showing alternate birefringence rings were probed via 3D dissection. The fractured interiors of the birefringent-banded poly(decamethylene terephthalate) (PDT) spherulites at Tc = 90 °C revealed multi-shell spheroid bands composed of perpendicularly intersecting lamellae bundles, where each shell (measuring 4 μm) was composed of the interior tangential and radial lamellae, as revealed in the SEM results, and its shell thickness was equal to the optical inter-band spacing (4 μm). The radial-oriented lamellae were at a roughly 90° angle perpendicularly intersecting with the tangential ones; therefore, the top-surface valley band region appeared to be a submerged "U-shape", where the interior radial lamellae were located directly underneath. Furthermore, the universal self-assembly was proved by collective analyses on the three arylate polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-En Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Widyantari Rahmayanti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
| | - Chean-Cheng Su
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National University of Kaohsiung, No. 700, Kaohsiung University Rd., Nan-Tzu Dist., Kaohsiung 811-48, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Road, Tainan 701-01, Taiwan
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Liang J, Ouyang X, Cao Y. Interfacial and confined molecular-assembly of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and its application in organic electronic devices. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OF ADVANCED MATERIALS 2022; 23:619-632. [PMID: 36212681 PMCID: PMC9542436 DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2022.2125826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) is a typical conducting polymer widely used in organic thin-film transistors, polymer solar cells, etc., due to good processability and remarkable charging carrier and hole mobility. It is known that the ordered structure assembled by π-conjugated P3HT chains could promote the performance of electronic devices. Interfacial and confined molecular-assembly is one effective way to generate an ordered structure by tuning surface geometry and substrate interaction. Great efforts have been made to investigate the molecular chain assembly of P3HT on a curved surface that is confined to different geometry. In this report, we review the recent advances of the interfacial chain assembly of P3HT in a flat or curved confined space and its application to organic electronic devices. In principle, this interfacial assembly of P3HT at a nanoscale could improve the electronic properties, such as the current transport, power conversion efficiency, etc. Therefore, this review on interfacial and confined assembly of P3HT could give general implications for designing high-performance organic electronic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Liang
- Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology (AISMST), School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xing Ouyang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Cao
- Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology (AISMST), School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangdong, China
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Huang KY, Woo EM, Nagarajan S. Unique Periodic Rings Composed of Fractal-Growth Dendritic Branching in Poly(p-dioxanone). Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14040805. [PMID: 35215718 PMCID: PMC8963038 DOI: 10.3390/polym14040805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amorphous poly(p-vinyl phenol) (PVPh) was added into semicrystalline poly(p-dioxanone) (PPDO) to induce a uniquely novel dendritic/ringed morphology. Polarized-light optical, atomic-force and scanning electron microscopy (POM, AFM, and SEM) techniques were used to observe the crystal arrangement of a uniquely peculiar cactus-like dendritic PPDO spherulite, with periodic ring bands not continuingly circular such as those conventional types reported in the literature, but discrete and detached to self-assemble on each of the branches of the lobs. Correlations and responsible mechanisms for the formation of this peculiar banded-dendritic structure were analyzed. The periodic bands on the top surface and interior of each of the cactus-like lobs were discussed. The banded pattern was composed of feather-like lamellae in random fractals alternately varying their orientations from the radial direction to the tangential one. The tail ends of lamellae at the growth front spawned nucleation cites for new branches; in cycles, the feather-like lamellae self-divided into multiple branches following the Fibonacci sequence to fill the ever-expanding space with the increase of the radius. The branching fractals in the sequence and the periodic ring-banded assembly on each of the segregated lobs of cactus-like dendrites were the key characteristics leading to the formation of this unique dendritic/ringed PPDO spherulite.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eamor M. Woo
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-6-275-7575 (ext. 62670)
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Interfacial Banded Transcrystallization of Polyoxymethylene/Poly(butylene succinate) Blends Induced by the Polyamide 6 Fiber. CHINESE JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10118-022-2684-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Nagarajan S. Lamellar Assembly Mechanism on Dendritic Ring-Banded Spherulites of Poly(ε-caprolactone). Macromol Rapid Commun 2021; 42:e2100359. [PMID: 34491601 DOI: 10.1002/marc.202100359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The self-assembly structures of lamellae in optical ring bands have a critical effect on their optical and physical arrangements. Two different types of dendritic banded spherulites (namely ring-banded and zigzag ring-banded) are formed in poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly (phenyl methacrylate) blend at crystallization temperatures of 42 and 46 °C, respectively. The difference in optical birefringence of ring bands in two types of spherulites is resolved by means of direct morphological comparison. Banded spherulites are fractured carefully to facilitate lamellar orientation analyses of both the top surface and the interior surface. The results have revealed the existence of tree-like dendritic fractal growth lamellar assemblies in both banded spherulites. The optical ring patterns of the banded spherulites are differentiated mainly by the fractal orientation of the edge-on crystal branches in the ridge region. On the basis of detailed morphological analysis, 3D-lamellar assembly mechanisms are proposed to explain the growth of dendritic ring-banded spherulites at 42 °C and dendritic zigzag ring-banded spherulites at 46 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan
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Nagarajan S, Woo EM. Unique Optical Periodicity Assembly of Discrete Dendritic Lamellae and Pyramidal Single Crystals in Poly(ε-caprolactone). ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:41200-41208. [PMID: 34423644 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c09099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A unique zig-zag banded morphology poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), crystallized at high Tc = 46-47 °C and confined in thin films (<1 μm), is found to be assembled of parallel cogrowth of two totally crystal entities: edge-on dendritic lamellar protrusion from surfaces and flat-on pyramidal single crystals. The alternating PCL optical bands are assembled as flat-on single crystals aligned as straight dendrites as a valley band in series with edge-on branches as a ridge band, leading to a unique assembly mechanism of periodic optical rings where these two crystal pieces are assembled in series. Detailed assembly mechanisms are proposed to explain how the composite bands in the PCL aggregates are correlated to optical birefringence periodicity. By techniques of melt crystallization via periodic species drainage, PCL single crystals could be prepared and tailor-made to a variety of nanopatterns as templates for applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selvaraj Nagarajan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Eamor M Woo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
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