Formation of o‐Phenylenediamine Oligomers and their Self‐Assembly into One‐Dimensional Structures in Aqueous Medium

Abstract

AbstractSummary: Uniform one‐dimensional (1D) structures of o‐phenylenediamine (oPD) oligomers are obtained by direct mix of AgNO3 and oPD aqueous solutions at room temperature. The formation of the 1D structures involves two stages: (1) oxidation of oPD by AgNO3, yielding individual oPD oligomers; and (2) self‐assembly of the oligomers, forming the 1D structures. Upon decreasing medium pH, the 1D structures can break‐apart to form individual oligomers, or vice versa. It is also found that both the concentration and molar ratio of reactants can influence the morphology of the structures thus formed.Schematic illustration of the formation mechanism of 1D structures from oPD and AgNO3, and energy‐dispersed spectrum of the precipitate.magnified imageSchematic illustration of the formation mechanism of 1D structures from oPD and AgNO3, and energy‐dispersed spectrum of the precipitate.