Star copolymers are known to phase separate on the nanoscale, providing useful self-assembled morphologies. In this study, the authors investigate synthesis and assembly behavior of miktoarm star (μ-star) copolymers. The authors employ a new strategy for the synthesis of unprecedented μ-star copolymers presenting poly(N-octyl benzamide) (PBA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) arms: a combination of chain-growth condensation polymerization, styrenics-assisted atom transfer radical coupling, and ring-opening polymerization. Gel permeation chromatography, mass-analyzed laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, and H NMR spectroscopy reveal the successful synthesis of a well-defined (PBA ) -(PCL ) μ-star copolymer (M ≈ 12 620; Đ = 1.22). Preliminary examination of the PBA PCL μ-star copolymer reveals assembled nanofibers having a uniform diameter of ≈20 nm.
The applications of TiO2/graphene nanocomposite as a compact layer for ZnO-based dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) have been studied. It was shown that the role of bifunctional graphene flakes in TiO2 compact layer not only suppressed the electron recombination between indium-doped tin oxide and electrolyte, but also reduced the resistance of compact layer. In addition, compared to typical compact layers, TiO2/graphene nanocomposite without blocking effect in optical transmittance could further boost the power conversion efficiency in DSSC. TiO2/graphene nanocomposite was demonstrated the potential to be an alternative of compact layer to typical dense TiO2 for ZnO-based DSSCs.
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