Synthesis of PPV nanocomposites using lyotropic liquid crystal monomers

The synthesis of hexagonally ordered poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) nanoc omposites using polymerizable lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) is described . LLC monomers are used to form an inverted hexagonal phase in the presence of an aqueous PPV precursor solution. Subsequent photopolymerization to lo ck-in the matrix architecture, followed by thermal conversion of the precur sor to PPV in the channels, yields the final nanocomposite. The photolumine scence of these materials is very different from that of pure PPV. The nano meter-scale dimensions of the composites can be also tuned by modifying the ionic head group and the organic tails of the LC monomer.