Mesophase Structure-Mechanical and Ionic Transport Correlations in Extended Amphiphilic Dendrons
B.-K. Cho,1*
A. Jain,1*
S. M. Gruner,2
U. Wiesner1
We have studied the self-assembly of amphiphilic dendrons extended
with linear polyethylene oxide (PEO) chains and their ion complexes.
Keeping the dendron core and linear PEO chain compatible allows
for the combination of dendritic core-shell and conventional
blockcopolymer characteristics for complex mesophase behavior.
An unexpected sequence of crystalline lamellar, cubic micellar
(

), hexagonal columnar, continuous cubic (

), and lamellar mesophases is observed. Multiple phase behavior within single compounds
allows for the study of charge transport and mechanical property
correlations as a function of structure. The results suggest
an advanced molecular design concept for the next generation
of nanostructured materials in applications involving charge
transport.
1 Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853.
2 Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ubw1{at}cornell.edu