Hybrid Self-Assembly, Crystal, and Fractal Behavior of a Carboxy-Ended Hyperbranched Polyester/Copper Complex

• Published in: Macromolecular chemistry and physics 2013-02, Vol.214 (3), p.370-377
• Main Authors: Zhang, Daohong, Li, Junna, Chen, Sufang, Li, Tingcheng, Zhou, Jiliang, Cheng, Xinjian, Zhang, Aiqing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGGLOMERATION; Applied sciences; CALORIMETRY; Copper; COPPER COMPOUNDS; crystal; CUPRIC IONS; Differential scanning calorimetry; Exact sciences and technology; fractal; Fractal analysis; Fractals; hyperbranched; Micelles; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polyester resins; POLYESTERS; Properties and characterization; RESINS; Self assembly; Structure, morphology and analysis
• ISSN: 1022-1352; 1521-3935
• DOI: 10.1002/macp.201200550

The novel hybrid self‐assembly of a carboxy‐ended hyperbranched polyester/copper complex on glass substrates is presented. Ordered, tree‐like self‐assemblies with sizes of about 400–900 μm and branch widths of about 1 μm are obtained, which demonstrate an intriguing crystalline and fractal structure by XRD, DSC, and SEM techniques. The fractal dimension (Df) of 1.67 suggests a perfect supramolecular structure. Factors affecting the morphology of self‐assembly, including self‐assembly time, relative humidity, and concentration of the complex, are investigated and the hybrid self‐assembly is attributed to the synergistic action of cupric ion coordination induction, micelle formation, and diffusion‐limited aggregation of micelles. Ordered, tree‐like self‐assemblies with sizes of about 400–900 μm and branch widths of about 1 μm are obtained by the surface self‐assembly of a carboxy‐ended hyperbranched polyester/copper complex, showing intriguing crystal and fractal behavior confirmed through XRD, DSC, SEM, and POM. The self‐assembly mechanism is explained by the synergistic action of cupric ion coordination induction, micelle formation, and diffusion‐limited aggregation of micelles.