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Timothy M Swager

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy M Swager.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Polarized photoluminescence from poly(p-phenylene-ethynylene) via a block copolymer nanotemplate.

A new approach based on a conjugated polymer/block copolymer guest/host system for the generation of polarized photoluminescence is reported. Synthetic modification of a poly(p-phenylene-ethynylene) (PPE) conjugated polymer is used for domain-specific incorporation into a cylindrical morphology block copolymer host matrix. Subsequent ordering of the host nanostructure via roll cast processing templates uniaxial alignment of the guest PPE. The ordered films are optically anisotropic displaying both polarized absorption with a dichroic ratio of 3.0 at 440 nm and polarized emission with a polarization ratio of 7.3 at 472 nm.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Defining space around conducting polymers: reversible protonic doping of a canopied polypyrrole.

A canopy-shaped pyrrole derivative 2 was prepared, in which a sterically demanding pendant group is juxtaposed to the pyrrole fragment to minimize interstrand pi-pi stacking interactions in the resulting polymer. Anodic polymerization of 2 afforded highly conductive poly(2), the electronic structure of which was probed by various spectroelectrochemical techniques. A limited charge delocalization within poly(2) translates into a well-defined conductivity profile, properties important for resistivity-based sensing. Notably, the bulk conductivity was precisely modulated by a rapid and reversible deprotonation and reprotonation of the polymer backbone.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Fluorescent detection of chemical warfare agents: functional group specific ratiometric chemosensors.

Indicators providing highly sensitive and functional group specific fluorescent response to diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP, a nerve gas (G-agent) simulant) are reported. Nonemissive indicator 2 reacts with DFP to give a cyclized compound 2+A- that shows a high emission due to its highly planar and rigid structure. Very weak emission was observed by the addition of HCl. Another indicator based on pyridyl naphthalene exhibits a large shift in its emission spectrum after reaction with DFP, which provides for quantitative ratiometric detection.

Chemical Warfare Agents↗
PubMed2003

A proton-doped calix[4]arene-based conducting polymer.

Segmented conducting polymers based upon a calix[4]arene scaffold are reported. The cone conformation creates a zigzag orientation of the polymer segments. Their acid-dependent conductivities are similar to the strong pH conductivity dependence of polyaniline which is said to be acid dopable. On the other hand, they have a segmented structure that imposes greater localization of the carriers. The conductivity of such a system can be considered to result from rapid self-exchange between discrete units. Hence, electron exchange between radical cations and p-diquinone salts produces the high conductivity of these polymers.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

The interplay of bent-shape, lateral dipole and chirality in thiophene based di-, tri-, and tetracatenar liquid crystals.

A range of mesogenic molecules varying in both bend angle and strength of lateral dipole were synthesized, and their phase behavior was characterized by polarizing microscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electrooptical measurements. We find the general destabilization of the liquid crystallinity caused by strong lateral dipolar groups and the bent molecular shape are off-set in mesomorphic tetracatenars, which display stable nematic, smectic, columnar, and cubic mesophases. The broad mesomorphism of the tetracatenars containing lateral dipoles and their incompatibility with chiral induction are explained by considering that loosely correlated dimers exist within the mesophases. Chiral mesophases of derivatives with strong lateral dipoles were achieved by attaching fewer or different side chains to each end of the mesogen.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Conjugated polymer liquid crystal solutions: control of conformation and alignment.

Stable solutions of conjugated poly(phenylene vinylene)s and poly(phenylene ethynylene)s in nematic liquid crystals are reported. The polymers all contain triptycene units fused into their backbones to obtain the high solubility needed to maintain solubility in complex liquid crystalline media. The polymer backbones align with the director of the nematic liquid crystal, and by applying electric fields the polymers can be reoriented. The polymers all displayed lower band gaps in the liquid crystal solvents relative to those obtained in standard solvents such as methylene chloride. Hence, the liquid crystal solution induces a chain-extended highly conjugated structure in the polymers, which is generally associated with optimization of the polymer properties.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Structural control in thin layers of poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s: photophysical studies of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films.

We present the relationship between the spatial arrangement and the photophysical properties of fluorescent polymers in thin films with controlled structures. Eight surfactant poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s were designed and studied. These detailed studies of the behavior of the polymers at the air-water interface, and of the photophysical properties of their transferred LB films, revealed key structure-property relationships. Some of the polymers displayed pi-aggregates that are characteristic of an edge-on structure at the air-water interface. Monolayer LB films of these polymers showed greatly reduced quantum yields relative to solution values. Other polymers exhibited a highly emissive face-on structure at the air-water interface, and did not form pi-aggregates. The combination of pressure-area isotherms and the surface pressure dependent in situ UV-vis spectra of the polymers at the air-water interface revealed different behavioral details. In addition, the UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, and quantum yields of the LB films provide design principles for making highly emissive films.

Alkynes↗
PubMed2002

Functionalizable polycyclic aromatics through oxidative cyclization of pendant thiophenes.

We present a general strategy for obtaining large sulfur-containing polycyclic aromatics from thienyl precursors through iron(III) chloride mediated oxidative cyclizations. By placing thienyl moieties in close proximity to adjacent arenes, we have directed the oxidized intermediates into controlled cyclization pathways, effectively suppressing polymer formation. Utilizing these cyclized compounds and their thienyl precursors, we have studied cyclization/polymerization pathways of polymers such as poly(2). The unsubstituted positions alpha to the sulfur atoms within these aromatic cores allowed for efficient halogenation and further functionalization. As a demonstration, we prepared a series of arylene-ethynylene polymers with varying degrees of chromophore aromatization and used them to probe the effects of synthetically imposed rigidity on polymer photophysical behavior. The symmetries and effective conjugation pathways within the monomers play a key role in determining photophysical properties. We observed that rigid, aromatized chromophores generally led to increased excited-state lifetimes by decreasing radiative rates of fluorescence decay.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Using "internal free volume" to increase chromophore alignment.

Triptycenes have general applicability for increasing the alignment of fluorescent and dichroic dyes in LC hosts. Dyes containing varying numbers of triptycenes were synthesized to study the effect of free-volume alignment of triptycenes on the alignment of dyes. These dyes were designed such that multiple triptycenes could be incorporated and the triptycene-free volume is coincident to the aspect ratio of the dye, allowing a cooperative effect to increase their overall average alignment. With increasing triptycene incorporation, a stepwise increase in the alignment parameters of each dye was seen. It was also found that the attachment of one triptycene group has a negligible effect on the optical switching response times of the dyes. This can be a powerful tool for designing dyes with higher alignments for a variety of applications including guest-host reflective LCDs and holographic data storage.

Journal Article↗