Gerrit ten Brinke

Polymeric one-dimensional reflectors based on self-organization of comb-shaped supramolecules

Polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) (PS-block-P4VP) diblock copolymer was complexed with dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBSA), leading to comb–coil polymeric supramolecules PS-block-P4VP(DBSA)y (y = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0). Complexes formed hierarchical lamellar structure with long period of ca. 1400 A. Due to periodicity and refractive index contrast between the layers, transmission and reflectance measurements showed a relatively narrow incomplete bandgap at ca. 460 nm. The angular dependence of the bandgap was also studied using different angles (θ) relative to the surface normal. The mid-gap was blue-shifted when the incident angle was increased indicating that the lamellar structure was partly oriented by the surfaces of quartz glasses.