Self‐Assembly of Amphiphilic Polyphenylene Dendrimers with Different Surface Functionalization in Solvent/Non‐Solvent Mixtures

Graphical Abstract: Wiley

Abstract

This work compares the self-assembly of nanometer-sized amphiphilic Janus-type and patched polyphenylene dendrimers (PPDs) in solvent/non-solvent mixtures utilizing static and dynamic light-scattering measurements. First- and second-generation (G1 and G2) dendrimers are functionalized with substituents of different polarity, i.e., polar neo-pentyl sulfonate or sulfonic acid groups are combined with non-polar propyl groups. Neo-pentyl sulfonate PPDs give rise to defined supramolecular assembly structures, irrespective of their amphiphilic surface functionalization or size. In contrast, the self-assembly of PPDs with sulfonic acid substitution exhibits a pronounced dependence upon substitution pattern and generation. In particular, the Janus dendrimers demonstrate an increased tendency toward self-assembly compared to their patched counterparts. This trend is more pronounced for G2 than for G1 PPDs.

Publication
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Prof. Dr. Torsten John
Prof. Dr. Torsten John
Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry

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