Growth of solution cast macromolecular pi-conjugated nanoribbons on mica

We report on the growth of molecular nanoribbons from a pi-conjugated polym er. A polydisperse, soluble, end-functionalized poly(para-phenyleneethynyle ne) (PPE) derivative can self-assemble from solution on flat solid substrat es into nanoribbons with a molecular cross-section and a length on the micr ometer scale. By using different solvents it has been possible to produce e ither predominantly randomly oriented ribbons or to align them along the 3- fold symmetry axes of crystalline mica substrates. These nanostructures may be useful for the fabrication of molecular nanowires. Their growth behavio ur suggests that the self-assembly of PPE in thin films from solutions is u sually governed kinetically. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights rese rved.