Supramolecular polymer networks based on calix[5]arene chained poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) and C-60 fulleropyrrolidine

A poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) polymer (PCF[5]), bearing two π-rich cone-like calix[5]arenecavities (assembling cores) attached to a rigid p-phenyleneethynylene spacer, was synthesisedby a Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reaction. UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopiescombined with dynamic light scattering measurements provide evidence for the self-assembly ofPCF[5] (homopolytopic host molecule) with a complementary C60 fulleropyrrolidine (C60-Pyr) guestin solution, in the construction of a supramolecular polymer network. Atomic force microscopyanalysis of PCF[5]/C60-Pyr highlights the formation of a bicontinuous network consisting of auniform distribution of prominent structures, within a polymeric background forming a biphasicstructure