Silicon-based polymers are exceptionally useful materials as a result of their properties which depend on their specific main chain and side group structure. The introduction of metal centers can add additional functionality. Polyferrocenylsilanes were first prepared in high molecular weight form from strained silicon-bridged [1]ferrocenophane monomers via ring-opening polymerization over 20 years ago. Subsequent studies have revealed a range of interesting potential applications and examples of homopolymers and block copolymers are available commercially [1]. This talk will focus on recent work on homopolymer and block copolymer self-assembly, especially crystallization-driven self-assembly process in solution[2], and also thin film device applications [3].
1. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2016, 45, 5358.
2. (a) Science 2015, 347, 1329. (b) Science 2016, 352, 697. (c) Nature Mater.2017, 16, 481.
3. S-Y Kim, J. Gwyther, I. Manners, P.M. Chaikin, and R. A. Register Adv. Mater.2014, 26, 791–795.
