Morphology and Structure of Poly(di-n-butylsilane) Single Crystals Prepared by Controlling Kinetic Process of Solvent Evaporation

Abstract

The silicon backbone conformation in poly(di-n-butylsilane) (PDBS) has been shown to be a 7/3 helix at ambient conditions, which is in marked contrast to the near-planar conformation of its homologous polymers with side chain lengths of one to three or six to eight carbon atoms. In this work, both the 7/3 helical and near-planar chain conformations are achieved by controlling the solvent evaporation rate around room temperature. The chain conformation and crystal structure obtained in this method have been correlated to the crystal morphology by wide-angle X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV absorption spectrum. The lath-shaped single crystals obtained at 12 °C correspond to an orthorhombic form with near-planar chain conformation whereas the lozenge-shaped single crystals obtained at 30 °C (in coexistence with the lath-shaped crystals) are orthohexagonal with a 7/3 helix.