Successive stepwise evolution of host layer-stacking framework upon the intercalation of mobile vapor guests within side-chain layers

For the ordered phases of hairy-rod semiconductive poly(2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophene-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]thiophene) (PBTTT) sandwiched in between crystalline platelets of hexamethylbenzene, the successive stepwise evolution of layer-stacking framework upon guest intercalation has been studied in this research. The direct consequence of the guest intercalation into side-chain layers is evaluated to cause the lateral shift of thiophene backbones along π–π stacking, resulting in stepwise shift of ultraviolet absorption wavelength. The thermal motions of vapor guests within disordering side-chain layers subsequently cause progressive expansion of host stacking framework. With the increase in side-chain length, thicker layers of disordering side chains in liquid crystals (LCs) accommodate additional vapor guests and larger amplitudes of thermal motions of guests, hence promoting the level of reversible d-spacing change. The mixing between mobile vapor guests and aliphatic side chains is clarified as the mechanism of guest intercalation, which rationalizes successive guest intercalation during heating and the contribution of disordering side-chain layers.