Amylose-wrapped luminescent conjugated polymers

Highly luminescent inclusion complexes consisting of poly(para-phenylene) (PPP) or poly(4,4'-diphenylene-vinylene) (PDV) in the helical cavity of amylose have been synthesised, structurally characterised by nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy and used to fabricate electroluminescent light-emitting diodes.     

Tetraalkoxyphenanthrene: a new precursor for luminescent conjugated polymers

[reaction: see text] We have developed a convenient synthesis of tetraalkoxyphenanthrene derivatives and demonstrated their use to form luminescent conjugated oligomers and polymers. Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions of 2,7-diiodo-3,6-dimethoxy-9,10-di(2-ethylhexyloxy)phenanthrene produced high molecular weight poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s and low molecular weight poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s. These new polymers, which are luminescent in the solid state and in solution, may be useful for developing LED or solar cell devices, or in chemical sensors.     

Space charge distribution in luminescent conjugated polymers

We have used for the first time the laser intensity modulation method (LIMM) to resolve the depth profile of space charges in films of poly[(2-(2-ethylhexyl)-5-methoxy-1,4-phenylene)vinylene] (MEH-PPV), poly(pyridine-2,5-diyl) (PPY) and poly(fluorene) (PFO). The results demonstrate that in conjugated polymers space charges can not only be created but also stored permanently.     

Organic polymer leds with mobile and immobile ions

The syntheses of partially conjugated alkoxy substituted Poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) materials with tertiary amines and cationic species covalently bound to the polymer backbone are described. The amine/cationic species are introduced via a polymer analogous reaction of a functional alcohol and the chloro-precursor polymer. Single layer, polymer light emitting diodes (PolyLEDs), prepared with the modified polymer materials show a strong ‘burn-in’ effect, leading to very high electroluminescence (EL) quantum efficiencies especially with higher workfunction cathodes.     

Monoradically luminescent polymers by a super acid-catalyzed polymerization and deep-red electroluminescence

Luminescent radicals have received great attention recently due to their idiographic luminescent properties and potential 100%utilization efficiency of doublets under electrical excitation. However, luminescent radical polymers are rarely explored owing to their challenging molecular design and synthesis. Herein, we report an efficient approach to construct luminescent radical polymers by a super acid-catalyzed polymerization reaction proceeded at room temperature, which intrinsically avoid the heavy metal catalyst. The obtained polymers exhibit the unique paramagnetic signals, good thermal properties, and excellent photostability. Moreover, the quantifiable electroluminescence of such radical polymers was demonstrated for the first time.     

New monomers for fullerene-containing polymers

By reaction of 2-(acryloyloxyethyl) and (undecen-10-en-1-yl) methylmalonates with fullerene C₆₀ in the system toluene-CBr₄-DBU, and also by reaction of 2-(2,2-dichloroacetoxy)ethyl acrylate with C₆₀ in the system toluene-DBU the corresponding products of fullerene monocyclopropanation were synthesized.     

New engineering polymers for blow-moulding

The combination of using high performance flexible engineering polymers and their processing by blow moulding technology allows traditional rubber and rubber-metal composite parts to be replaced to obtain improved performance, lower cost and greater design freedom. Two examples of automobile applications are detailed to support this concept - constant velocity joint boots and engine air ducting.     

PEGDA‐based luminescent polymers prepared by frontal polymerization

Frontal polymerization (FP) of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was carried out using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as radical initiator. In addition, a pyrene containing monomer, 1‐pyrenebutyl acrylate (PyBuAc), was incorporated as a fluorescent probe in order to obtain luminescent materials with different chromophore contents. The resulting polymers were characterized by FT‐IR spectroscopy in the solid state and their thermal properties were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Moreover, the optical properties of these materials were studied by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The maximum amount of the incorporated pyrene‐containing monomer into the polymer matrix was limited to 1 wt % by the polymerization process. The obtained labeled polymers poly(PEGDA‐co‐PyBuAc) exhibited a broad absorption band at 345 nm. The fluorescence spectra of these polymers exhibited mainly “monomer emission” so that no excimer emission was observed. It is possible to tune the color of the emitted light by varying the pyrene content in the samples. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2890–2897     

Coordination polymers containing 1D channels as selective luminescent probes

Two 3d-4f heterometallic coordination polymers {[Ln(PDA)3Mn1.5(H2O)3].3.25H2O}infinity with 1D channels were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions (PDA = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid; Ln = Eu (1); Ln = Tb (2)). The emission intensities of 1 and 2 increased significantly upon addition of Zn2+, while the introduction of other metal ions caused the intensity to be either unchanged or weakened. The case implies that 1 and 2 may be used as luminescent probes of Zn2+.     

Controlled synthesis of luminescent polymers using a bis-dithiobenzoate RAFT agent

A higher efficiency of excitation energy transfer occurs to a luminescent diphenylanthracenyl acceptor incorporated at the centre, rather than the end, of an acenaphthylene polymer chain.     

Synthesis,structures, luminescent and dielectric properties of lanthanide coordination polymers

Under hydrothermal conditions, four lanthanide coordination polymers were synthesized based on 4-(4,5-dicarboxy-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine 1-oxide (H₃DCImPyO), with the molecular forumulas [Eu(HDCImPyO)·(H₂O)₂·(CHO₂)]_n (1), [Sm(HDCImPyO)·(H₂O)₂·(HCO₂)]_n (2), {[La(HDCImPyO)·(H₂O)·(HCO₂)]·O₂}_n (3) and {[Y(HDCImPyO)·(C₂O₄)·(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n (4). With diverse coordination modes, they were further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, dielectric measurement, and single-crystal X-ray structural analysis. Complexes 1 and 2 were isostructural and had similar structures with {4⁴, 6²} topology. Complex 1 exhibited strong fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature. In 3, HDCImPyO^2? adopted μ₄-kO, O′: kO′, O′′: O′′′: O′′′′ coordination to bridge four La(III) ions to form a 3-D framework with {4. 5²}₂{4². 5¹⁰. 6¹². 7. 8³} topology. In 4, both HDCImPyO^2? ligands and Y³⁺ cations were simplified as linkers to form an interpenetrating 3-D framework with {4¹³. 6²}₂{4²². 6⁶} topology.     

Synthesis and properties of self organising semiconducting and luminescent polymers and model compounds

Oligothiophene‐PEO‐block‐co‐polymers and related model compounds have been synthesised and characterised. In the polymers well‐defined oligothiophene blocks (with from two to six α,α‐linked thiophene sequences) were alternated with poly(ethylene oxide) blocks of narrow polydispersity. Model α,α‐linked sexithiophenes were prepared carrying chiral, achiral, mono and narrow polydispersity monomethyl PEO substituents at their terminal alpha positions. All the products were soluble in common organic solvents and organic/aqueous solvent mixtures. UV/vis and fluorescence studies in solution indicated that the oligothiophene segments were molecularly dissolved in good solvents like chloroform. Aggregation of the oligothiophenes occurred in dioxane/water mixtures, consistent with observed shifts of the UV absorption maxima towards the blue and quenching of the fluorescence. An oligothiophene length of three thiophenes (terthiophene) was necessary for aggregation to be observed. The materials formed well‐organised transferable monolayers at the air water interface.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel luminescent polymers with alternate phenothiazine and divinylbenzene units

Novel luminescent polymers ( P1 and P2 ) carrying alternate phenothiazine and divinylbenzene units were synthesized via the Wittig reaction. Absorption, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetric methods were applied to investigate their optical and electrochemical properties. The photoluminescence (PL) maxima of P1 and P2 were 559 and 568 nm, respectively. Compared with reported hole‐transport groups such as carbazole, alkyldiphenylamine, triphenylamine, and iminodibenzyl chromophores, phenothiazine moieties in P1 and P2 bathochromically shift the PL maxima and narrow the band gaps. Their relative PL efficiencies were about 0.5 and 0.3 in solution and in the film state, respectively. Moreover, highest occupied molecular orbitals of P1 (4.78 eV) and P2 (4.74 eV) were even higher than the work function of ITO electrode (4.8 eV). The threshold electric fields of the Al/ P1 (or P2 )/ITO device were about 1.52–1.63 · 10⁶ V/cm, which were smaller than 1.73 · 10⁶ V/cm of P3 , consisting of alternate iminodibenzyl and divinylbenzene units. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4452–4462, 2002     

New luminescent terbium complex for the determination of DNA

New terbium complexes of derivatives of 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid are reported, which are highly luminescent, water soluble and do not require luminescence enhancers. The triplet-state energy levels of the ligands, the relative quantum yields (QYs) and the excitation maxima of the respective terbium chelates were determined. The large luminescence enhancement of one of these complexes by nucleic acids was investigated and a mechanism of its interaction with DNA is proposed. The optimal conditions for determination of DNA are equal concentrations of Tb(3+) and ligand R(1) (C = 1 x 10(-6) M), pH 9.0. Under optimal conditions the luminescence intensity (RI) is proportional to the concentration of fish sperm DNA (fsDNA) or calf thymus DNA (ctDNA), respectively, within the range of 0.05-1.5 microg ml(-1). The detection limits were 10 ng ml(-1) for fsDNA and 12 ng ml(-1) for ctDNA.     

Aromatic polymers with side oxadiazole rings as luminescent materials in LEDs

Aromatic polyamides and polyazomethines with side oxadiazole rings have been synthesized by using aromatic diamines containing pendent substituted oxadiazole groups and a diacid chloride having diphenylsilane or hexafluoroisopropylidene, or an aromatic dialdehyde with fluorene unit, respectively. These polymers were easily soluble in amidic solvents. Very thin films which were deposited from polymer solutions onto silicon wafers exhibited smooth, pinhole-free surface in atomic force microscopy investigations. The polymers showed high thermal stability with decomposition temperature being above 400°C. Some of them exhibited blue photoluminescence, in the range of 450-480 nm, making them promising candidates for future use as high performance materials in the construction of light emitting devices.     

New oligomeric thioether antioxidants for polymers

Polyfunctional oligomeric antioxidants with a sterically hindered phenolic fragment were prepared. The influence of these antioxidants on oxidation and degradation of SKI-3 rubber was analyzed.     

New peptidomimetic polymers for antifouling surfaces

Exposure of therapeutic and diagnostic medical devices to biological fluids is often accompanied by interfacial adsorption of proteins, cells, and microorganisms. Biofouling of surfaces can lead to compromised device performance or increased cost and in some cases may be life-threatening to the patient. Although numerous antifouling polymer coatings have enjoyed short-term success in preventing protein and cell adsorption on surfaces, none have proven ideal for conferring long-term biofouling resistance. Here we describe a new biomimetic antifouling N-substituted glycine polymer (peptoid) containing a C-terminal peptide anchor derived from residues found in mussel adhesive proteins for robust attachment of the polymer onto surfaces. The methoxyethyl side chain of the peptoid portion of the polymer was chosen for its chemical resemblance to the repeat unit of the known antifouling polymer poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), whereas the composition of the 5-mer anchoring peptide was chosen to directly mimic the DOPA- and Lys-rich sequence of a known mussel adhesive protein. Surfaces modified with this biomimetic peptide-peptoid conjugate exhibited dramatic reduction of serum protein adsorption and resistance to mammalian cell attachment for over 5 months in an in vitro assay. These new synthetic peptide based antifouling polymers may provide long-term control of surface biofouling in the physiologic, marine, and industrial environments.     

Charge transport in luminescent polymers studied by in situ fluorescence spectroscopy

Modulation of the photoluminescence of poly-[2,7-(fluorene)-1,4-(phenylene)] can be attained by reversible electrochemical modification of the conjugated chain (p- or n-doping). Controlled injection of charge quenches the fluorescent emission of the conjugated polymer. The injection of holes completely eliminates the emission, while the electrons only quench up to one-third of the initial fluorescence of the polymer. Analogous quenching effects have been previously reported for solid-state organoelectronic devices. Electrochemical Stern-Volmer plots permit the estimation of the relative mobility of charge carriers in the polymer layer. The mobility of holes is 1 order of magnitude higher that the mobility of electrons, as determined by this method.     

Heck reactions of stilbenoid chromophores with alkoxysilyl-substituted styrenes: Synthesis of monomers for luminescent polymers

Luminescent stilbenoid chromophores with diethoxysilane end groups are prepared via Heck reactions. Diethoxysilane-substituted styrenes are used as vinylic components, thus allowing the combined connection of the chromophore to the silane moiety with an extension of the π-system. Monodisperse oligo(phenylenevinylene)s of different conjugation lengths and bromine or iodine as reactive sites are used as coupling partners. Electrical and optical properties are tuned via the length of the conjugated system, electron withdrawing cyanide and electron donating alkoxy side chains, the latter guarantee high solubility of the final compounds.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. H. Ringsdorf on the occasion of his 75th birthday