Preparation, Characterization, and Self-Assembly of P3HT-Based Janus Fibers via a Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly Process

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-based complex topological copolymers have attracted a great deal of attention for their unique electrical and optical properties. In this contribution, the P3HT-based Janus fibers with controlled lengths were innovatively prepared by sequential crystallization-driven self-assembly (CDSA) of poly(<i>p</i>-<i>tert</i>-butylstyrene)-<i>b</i>-polyisoprene-<i>b</i>-poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P<i>t</i>BS-<i>b</i>-PI-<i>b</i>-P3HT) triblock copolymer, cross-linking of the interlayer PI region, and dissociation of fibers in good solvent. The comprehensive characterizations showed that the P<i>t</i>BS/P3HT Janus fibers have nearly half the width of P<i>t</i>BS-<i>b</i>-PI-<i>b</i>-P3HT fibers and fiber lengths close to or slightly shorter than those of P<i>t</i>BS-<i>b</i>-PI-<i>b</i>-P3HT fibers, indicating that the Janus fibers with adjustable lengths could be prepared in a large window range. Furthermore, the P<i>t</i>BS/P3HT Janus fibers could re-self-assemble into average 2- or 4-aggregates in selective solvent. The work provided a general strategy to produce P3HT-based or analogous π-conjugated polymer-based Janus fibers, which is hoped to facilitate the applications of π-conjugated polymers in advanced materials.