Rod-coil block copolymers of fluorene and siloxane segments

Block copolymers have been of great interest to the scientific community for a number of years as they offer a route to control polymer morphology, via self- assembly, at a level that is very difficult to achieve by other means. Coil-coil block copolymers have been extensively investigated and the physical properties of these polymers. are reasonably well understood both experimentally and theoretically. Rod-coil block copolymers are block copolymers in which one of the blocks acts as a rigid rod. Apart from scientific curiosity, one of the driving forces behind research into rod-coil block copolymers is the useful properties that some rod type polymers possess. One example of these properties is that of light emission from a semiconducting, conjugated rod. The first chapter introduces the preparation and properties of conjugated polymers and goes on to discuss block copolymers and the various morphologies that can be adopted. The second chapter describes the experimental work that was carried out in preparing rod- coil block copolymers for this thesis. The third chapter will concentrate on the synthesis and properties of the homopolymers that will be combined to form the final block copolymers. The fourth chapter discusses the preparation and physical properties of the block copolymers prepared, in particular those of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) and polydimethylsiloxane. The final chapter contains the overview and conclusion of this work and proposals for future endeavour.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo