Conducting block copolymer nanowires containing regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) and polystyrene

Grignard Metathesis polymerization (GRIM) for the synthesis of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophenes) proceeds via a "living" chain growth mechanism. Due to the "living" nature of this polymerization regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophenes) with predetermined molecular weight, narrow molecular weight distributions and desired chain end functionality are now readily available. Allyl terminated poly(3-hexylthiophene) was successfully used as a precursor for the synthesis of di-block copolymers containing polystyrene. The addition of "living" poly(styryl)lithium to the allyl terminated regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) generated the di-block copolymer. Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-polystyrene was also synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization. Integration of poly(3-hexylthiophene) in di-block copolymers with polystyrene leads to the formation of nanowire morphology and self-ordered conducting nanostructured materials.