In block-selective solvent, the rod-coil block copolymers can form various micellar structures. With block copolymers that contain a conjugated polymer block, the conformation of the conjugated polymer can be reflected by spectral changes in the solution. Therefore, it is of interest to study the relationship between the spectral changes and the nature of the conjugated polymer. The fundamental physical properties of poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) were studied. Five P3HT samples with different molecular weights were used. We have determined the relationship between physical and spectral properties of this polymer and its molecular weight. In particular, we have found that the refractive index increments, the maximum absorbance wavelength, extinction coefficients, and the emission wavelengths, increase with molecular weight. Diblock copolymers of poly(3-hexyl thiophene)-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (P3HT-b-PHEMA) were also studied. The morphological and spectral changes of these block copolymers were studied at various stages of micelle formation in block selective solvents. The relationship between the volume fraction of the P3HT block and their physical and spectral properties were also discussed. / Thesis (Master, Chemistry) -- Queen's University, 2010-03-31 11:30:44.539

This dissertation focuses on the solution-state polymer assembly of conjugated polymers with specific attention to nano- and molecular-scale morphology. Understanding how to control these structures holds potential for applications in polymer-based electronics. Optimization of conjugated polymer morphology was performed with three objectives: 1) segregation of donor and acceptor materials on the nanometer length-scale, 2) achieving molecular-scale ordering in terms of crystallinity within distinct domains, and 3) maximizing the number and quality of well-defined donor/acceptor interfaces. Chapter 1 introduces the development of a mixed solvent method to create crystalline poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (P3HT) fibrils in solution. Chapter 2 describes fibril purification and approaches to robust and functional fibrils, while chapters 3 and 4 demonstrate the formation of hybrid nanocomposite wires of P3HT and cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles by two methods: 1) co-crystallization of free and P3HT-grafted CdSe for composite nanowires and 2) direct attachment of CdSe nanoparticles at fibril edges to give superhighway structures. These composite structures show great potential in the application of optoelectronic devices, such as the active layer of solar cells. Finally, ultrafast photophysical characterization of these polymers, using time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption, was performed to determine the aggregation types present in suspended fibrils and monitor the formation and decay of charged species in fibrils and donor-acceptor systems