Self-assembled fibrillar networks of oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) based organogelators

Abstract

Self-assembly induced gelation of a few oligo(p-phenylenevinylene) (OPV) derivatives in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents is described. The gelation is the result of hydrogen bond assisted pi-interaction between OPV moieties which facilitate the formation of supramolecular polymeric assemblies, eventually leading to three dimensional fibrillar networks. The number of the aliphatic side chains and the nature of the end functional groups of the OPV backbone play crucial roles in the gelation of hydrocarbon solvents.