Origin of the Anisotropy and Structure of Ellipsoidal Poly(fluorene) Nanoparticles

Polymer nanoparticles with a nonspherical shape are difficult to access and rare. Heterophase Suzuki–Miyaura polycondensation can yield distinct ellipsoidal poly(9,9′-dioctylfluorene) nanoparticles. We reveal the origin of this unusual particle by combination experimental approaches. Given sufficient chain mobility, enabled choice suitable organic solvent, also prefabricated oligomers DPn ≥ ca. 10 polymers form This agrees finding that high molecular weights reached very rapidly in aforementioned polymerizations, despite their step-growth character. Introduction cross-links during polymerization disturbs evolution particles. Overall, formation anisotropic shapes (as observed TEM) strongly correlates β-phase regimes an ordered polymer packing particles UV/Vis absorption fluorescence spectroscopy).