Comb-shaped supramolecules based on protonated polyaniline and their self-organization into nanoscale structures: Polyaniline sulfonates/zinc sulfonates

A concept is demonstrated for comb-shaped supramolecules based on dodecylbe nzenesulfonic acid-doped polyaniline, i.e., PANI(DBSA)(0.5), by complexatio n with zinc dodecylbenzenesulfonate, Zn(DBS)(2). Model studies using relate d protonated single crystalline bipyridine oligomers suggest that Zn(DBS)(2 ) molecules are bonded by Zn2+- and water-mediated hydrogen bonds to the su lfonates of PANI(DBSA)(0.5). The comb-shaped supramolecules, denoted as PAN I(DBSA)(0.5)[Zn(DBS)(2)](x) with x = 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5, self-or ganize as lamellar structures due to the repulsion between the alkyl chains and the polar moieties leading to plasticized materials. So far, the condu ctivity levels are low, i.e., in the range 10(-7) S/cm, potentially requiri ng optimization of the lengths and the amounts of side groups. The concept allows generalization to complex functional groups along sulfonic acid prot onated polyaniline chains.