Probing interfacial interactions and dynamics of polymers enclosed in boron nitride nanotubes

Understanding interfacial interactions in polymer systems is crucial for their applicability for instance in adhesives and coatings. Enclosing polymers in a cylindrical volume provides a system for studying interactions dictated by a continuous interfacial layer and a bulk-like volume in the middle of the cylinders. Here, we describe a simple method for enclosing polymers into boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) and establishing the effect of the interfacial interactions on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the polymers by infrared spectroscopy. The volume of the inner channel is large in comparison to the volume of the loaded polymer coils, allowing the polymer to expand along the inner channel, resulting in the effect of interfacial interactions on polymer dynamics dominating over confinement effects. As examples, we loaded poly(4-vinyl pyridine), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), and poly(disperse red 1 acrylate) in BNNTs. The strongest interaction between the studied polymer and BNNTs was observed for poly(4-vinyl pyridine), which also caused a significant increase of T_g. In addition to characterizing the effect of interfacial interactions on the thermal transitions of the polymers, this method, which is generalizable to most soluble polymer materials, can be used for studying photoinduced transitions in photoactive polymers thanks to the transparency of the BNNTs at visible wavelengths.     

Selective dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes with specific chiral indices by poly(N-decyl-2,7-carbazole)

Physico-chemical methods to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) by chiral index are presently lacking but are required for in-depth experimental analysis and also for potential future applications of specific species. Here we report the unexpected selectivity of poly(N-decyl-2,7-carbazole) to almost exclusively disperse semiconducting SWNTs with differences of their chiral indices (n - m) ≥ 2 in toluene. The observed selectivity complements perfectly the dispersing features of the fluorene analogue poly(9,9-dialkyl-2,7-fluorene), which disperses semiconducting SWNTs with (n - m) ≤ 2 in toluene. The dispersed samples are further purified by density gradient centrifugation and analyzed by photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy. All-atom molecular modeling with decamer model compounds of the polymers and (10,2) and (7,6) SWNTs suggests differences in the π-π stacking interaction as origin of the selectivity. We observe energetically favored complexes between the (10,2) SWNT and the carbazole decamer and between the (7,6) SWNT and the fluorene decamer, respectively. These findings demonstrate that subtle structural changes of polymers lead to selective solvation of different families of carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, chemical screening of closely related polymers may pave the way toward simple, low-cost, and index-specific isolation of SWNTs.     

N-苯基咔唑取代的蓝光聚(2,7-咔唑)的合成与表征

采用Suzuki聚合方法并通过改变催化剂的投料量,合成了一系列具有不同分子量的N-苯基咔唑取代的蓝光聚(2,7-咔唑),并详细研究了分子量对聚合物的光物理、电化学和电致发光器件性质的影响.结果表明,刚性N-苯基咔唑侧链的引入,能够有效地调控主链之间的相互作用,提高蓝光的色纯度,并使得该系列聚合物的固态荧光量子效率高达0.40.同时,在热退火及器件工作过程中,没有观察到类似聚芴中绿光峰的出现,表明具有良好的光谱稳定性.单层聚合物电致发光器件的最大发光效率为0.33 cd/A,色坐标为(0.18,0.12).     

3,9-咔唑聚合物基态和激发态性质的理论研究

用密度泛函B3LYP方法对3,9-咔唑低聚物[(3,9-carbazole)n(n=1,2,3,4,6,8)]体系进行了全优化, 计算得到电离能、电子亲合势、空穴抽取能及电子抽取能等相关能量, 用ZINDO和TD-DFT方法计算得到吸收光谱; 分析了各种能量的变化及光谱规律. 用外推法由低聚物分子的各种性质与聚合度n相联系得到高聚物的性质, 将所得结果与2,7-咔唑(2,7-carbazole)及类似聚合物进行了比较分析. 结果表明, 3,9位聚合的咔唑整体共轭程度降低, 光谱蓝移, 其IP值和聚芴相近, 可以作为空穴接受材料应用于多层电子荧光器件的空穴传输层. 用CIS方法进行优化得到部分分子的S1激发态结构, 用ZINDO和TD-DFT方法得到对应的发射光谱.     

The effect of molecular weight on the separation of semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes using poly(2,7‐carbazole)s

The use of selective interactions between conjugated polymers and single‐walled carbon nanotubes has emerged as a promising method for the separation of nanotubes by electronic type. Although much attention has been devoted to investigating polyfluorenes and their ability to disperse semiconducting carbon nanotubes under specific conditions, other polymer families, such as poly(2,7‐carbazole)s, have been relatively overlooked. Poly(2,7‐carbazole)s have been shown to also preferentially interact with semiconducting carbon nanotubes, however a detailed investigation of polymer parameters, such as molecular weight, has not been performed. We have prepared seven different molecular weights of a poly(2,7‐carbazole), from short chain oligomers to high molecular weight polymers, and have investigated their effectiveness at dispersing semiconducting single‐walled carbon nanotubes. Although all polymer chain lengths were able to efficiently exfoliate carbon nanotube bundles using a mild dispersion protocol, only polymers above a certain threshold molecular weight (M_n ～ 27 kDa) were found to exhibit complete selectivity for semiconducting nanotubes, with no observable signals from metallic species. Additionally, we found the quality of separation to be strongly dependent on the ratio of polymer to carbon nanotube. Contrary to previous reports, we have found that an excess of poly(2,7‐carbazole) leads to incomplete removal of metallic carbon nanotubes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2510–2516     

Toward a rational design of poly(2,7-carbazole) derivatives for solar cells

On the basis of theoretical models and calculations, several alternating polymeric structures have been investigated to develop optimized poly(2,7-carbazole) derivatives for solar cell applications. Selected low band gap alternating copolymers have been obtained via a Suzuki coupling reaction. A good correlation between DFT theoretical calculations performed on model compounds and the experimental HOMO, LUMO, and band gap energies of the corresponding polymers has been obtained. This study reveals that the alternating copolymer HOMO energy level is mainly fixed by the carbazole moiety, whereas the LUMO energy level is mainly related to the nature of the electron-withdrawing comonomer. However, solar cell performances are not solely driven by the energy levels of the materials. Clearly, the molecular weight and the overall organization of the polymers are other important key parameters to consider when developing new polymers for solar cells. Preliminary measurements have revealed hole mobilities of about 1 x 10(-3) cm2 x V(-1) x s(-1) and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 3.6%. Further improvements are anticipated through a rational design of new symmetric low band gap poly(2,7-carbazole) derivatives.     

Steady-state and time-resolved studies of 2,7-carbazole-based conjugated polymers in solution and as thin films: determination of their solid state fluorescence quantum efficiencies

The UV–Vis absorption spectra and the luminescence properties of poly(N-octyl-2,7-carbazole) (POC) and poly(N-octyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-9,9-dioctyl-2,7-fluorene) PCF have been investigated in solution and in the solid state (thin films). No aggregate and/or excimer formation has been detected in these polymeric systems. From time-resolved fluorescence measurements in solution and in the solid state, the fluorescence efficiencies of the thin films have been estimated. It is found that the fluorescence efficiencies of these polycarbazoles in the solid state are quenched, as compared to those measured in fluid solutions, but remain relatively high (φ_F0.40), making them promising materials for electroluminescent devices.     

Enhanced dispersion stability of supramolecular complexes of single-walled carbon nanotubes with fluorene-based conjugated polymers

Supramolecular complexes of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with poly(9,9-didodecylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PF) derivatives were prepared using a solution dispersion process. A series of novel conjugated PF polymers with carboxyl or hydroxyl end groups at both ends were synthesized by the Yamamoto-type coupling of 2,7-dibromo-9,9-didodecylfluorene using Ni(COD)₂ as a catalyst, and further end-capped with either 4-bromobenzoic acid or 4-bromobenzyl alcohol to obtain the end-functionalized PF with different terminal groups. An α-monocarboxy-ω-mono-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) was connected to both ends of the PF-containing hydroxyl end groups to produce triblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-polyfluorene-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEO-b-PF-b-PEO). These SWNTs were completely wrapped with the conjugated polymers through π–π interactions, which enhanced the solubility of the SWNT complexes in organic media, and prevented the aggregation of the polymer–SWNT complexes into large bundles. This indicates that the dispersion stability of SWNTs is enhanced by the addition of the conjugated polymers.     

DNA‐Mediated Assembly of Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The dispersion of nanomaterials in solutions is of primary importance for the improvement of their processability, but it also provides a way to investigate phase behavior and to assemble nanostructures in solvents. Several methods based on different interactions have been developed to disperse carbon nanotubes, whereas little development has been made for their boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) counterparts. A direct way to obtain long‐range ordering may be through spontaneous nematic ordering in solutions at sufficiently high concentrations of the nanomaterial fraction. Lyotropic nematics have been observed in various organic and inorganic systems. In this work, the strong interactions between DNA and BNNTs were exploited to fabricate high‐concentration BNNTs aqueous solutions by a simple method, and then, for the first time, nematic ordered ensembles of BNNTs were obtained by filtration. It is proposed that a localized liquid‐crystal phase appears during filtration, as the ordering trend for the BNNTs was found to depend on the concentration of the aqueous solutions of the BNNTs. Moreover, BNNTs were successfully localized on a predefined area by using a thiol‐modified DNA–BNNT hybrid.     

Efficient synthesis of well-defined polycarbazoles via catalyst-transfer Kumada coupling polymerization

Polycarbazoles (PCZ) are well-studied class of polymers with good electrical and photoactive properties. Here, we have prepared the well-defined 3,6-PCZ with a molecular weight of 6148 and low polydispersities of 1.18. We also used 2,7-dibromo-9-(heptadecan-9-yl)-9H-carbazole as monomer to increase the solubility of the polymer. The 2,7-PCZ with a high molecular weight over 10,000 and low polydispersity of 1.27 was prepared successfully.     

Synthesis and characterization of ternary hybrid material based on poly-o-methoxyaniline and poly(ethylene oxide) in mesostructured V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

New hybrid composites based on mesostructured V₂O₅ containing intercalated poly(ethylene oxide), poly-o-methoxyaniline and poly(ethylene oxide)/poly-o-methoxyaniline were prepared. The results suggest that the polymers were intercalated into the layers of the mesostructured V₂O₅. Electrochemical studies showed that the presence of both polymers in the mesostructured V₂O₅ (ternary hybrid) leads to an increase in total charge and stability after several cycles compared with binary hybrid composites. This fact makes this material a potential component as cathode for lithium ion intercalation and further, a promising candidate for applications in batteries.     

Photoinduced electron transfer and nonlinear absorption in poly(carbazole-alt-2,7-fluorene)s bearing perylene diimides as pendant acceptors

This paper reports the synthesis, photophysical behavior, and use in nanosecond optical-pulse suppression of a poly(2,7-carbazole-alt-2,7-fluorene) and a poly(3,6-carbazole-alt-2,7-fluorene) in which the carbazole N-positions are linked by an alkyl chain to one of the nitrogen atoms of a perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) acceptor. It was found that the PDI pendants on the polymer side chain aggregated even in dilute solution, which extended the onset of PDI absorption into the near-infrared (NIR). Transient-absorption spectra of these polymers provide evidence for efficient electron transfer following either donor or acceptor photoexcitation to form long-lived charge-separated species, which exhibit strong absorption in the NIR. The spectral overlap between the transient species and the long-wavelength absorption edge of the aggregated PDI leads to reverse saturable absorption at 680 nm that can be used for optical-pulse suppression. Additionally, at high input energies, two-photon absorption mechanisms may also contribute to the suppression. PDI-grafted polymers exhibit enhanced optical-pulse suppression compared with blends of model materials composed of unfunctionalized poly(carbazole-alt-2,7-fluorene)s and PDI small molecules.     

Incorporation of fluorene‐based emitting polymers into silica

Novel polyfluorene copolymers with pendant hydroxyl groups, poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐2,7‐(9,9‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexyl)fluorene)‐co‐2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐1,4‐phenylene] (PFP‐OH) and poly[2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐2,7‐(9,9‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexyl)fluorene)‐co‐2,7‐(9,9‐dihexylfluorene)‐4,7‐(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)] (PFBT‐OH) were prepared. Acid‐catalyzed polycondensations of tetraethoxysilane were carried out in the presence of these polymers to obtain homogeneous hybrids. Photoluminescence spectra of these hybrids suggested the polymers were immobilized in silica matrix retaining their π‐conjugated structures. Further, hybrids of coat film were prepared utilizing perhydropolysilazane as a silica precursor. Their optical properties were examined. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Enhanced photovoltaic performance of quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells via incorporating quaternized ammonium iodide-containing conjugated polymer into PEO gel electrolytes

In this study, a series of gel electrolytes prepared from blends of alternating conjugated polymer electrolytes (CPEs)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) were developed for use in quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The alternating CPEs poly[(N-(3′-((N,N-dimethyl)-N-ethylammonium)propyl)-3,6-carbazole)-alt-(9,9-dioctyl-2,7-fluorene)]diiodide, poly[(N-(3′-((N,N-dimethyl)-N-ethylammonium)propyl)-3,6-carbazole)-alt-(9,9-bis(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)-2,7-fluorene)]diiodide (MPCFO-E), and poly[(N-(3′-((N,N-dimethyl)-N-ethylammonium)propyl)-3,6-carbazole)-alt-(siloxane substituted-2,7-fluorene)]diiodide (MPCFS-E) were synthesized through copolymerization of carbazole units (featuring quaternized ammonium iodide groups) and fluorene units featuring flexible side chains (9,9-dioctylfluorene, ethylene oxide-substituted fluorene, and siloxane-substituted fluorene, respectively). The MPCFO-E/PEO-based and MPCFS-E/PEO-based DSSCs exhibited lower electrochemical resistances, superior photovoltaic (PV) properties, and improved PV stabilities relative to those of the corresponding PEO-based DSSC. Among the studied systems, the DSSC based on the MPCFO-E (0.5 wt.%)/PEO blend electrolyte exhibited the best PV performance, with a short current density of 4.97 mA cm⁻² and a photoenergy conversion efficiency of 1.17%.     

Polyarylenes on the Basis of Alkylpyrrole and Alkylcarbazole Derivatives and their Oligomeric Model Systems

The redox and spectroscopic properties of soluble poly- (9-decylcarbazole) derivatives and poly(1-decylpyrrole) were studied. The polymers were synthesized via the Yamamoto polycondensation method. Analyzing the electrochemical and optical properties of 3,6-linked poly(alkylcarbazole)s it is evident that the conjugation segment is the benzidine system and the overall properties of these polymers can be compared with meta linked poly(phenylene)s. In opposite, 2,7-linked poly(alkylcarbazole)s reveal an even longer conjugation segment comparable with para linked poly(phenylene)s. First observations in the case of poly(1-decylpyrrole) suggest a higher steric hinderance compared to poly- (1-methylpyrrole). Molecular modeling studies confirm this. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3,6-和2,7-咔唑衍生物单光子和双光子吸收性质的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论B3LYP方法以及ZINDO/SDCI方法计算3,6-和2,7-咔唑衍生物的分子平衡几何结构、电子结构及单光子和双光子吸收性质.乙烯基吡啶取代基的位置影响分子的单光子和双光子吸收性质.与3,6-咔唑衍生物相比,2,7-咔唑衍生物的单光子吸收波长红移,振子强度增大;双光子吸收波长红移,双光子吸收截面增加.结果表明,2,7-咔唑衍生物是更好的双光子吸收材料.     

Incorporation of Hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) into Carbazole–Benzo‐2,1,3‐thiadiazole Copolymers to Improve Hole Mobility and Photovoltaic Performance

Hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) is a discotic‐shaped conjugated molecule with strong π–π stacking property, high intrinsic charge mobility, and good self‐assembly properties. For a long time, however, organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar cells based on HBC demonstrated low power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). In this study, two conjugated terpolymers, poly[N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5′‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT)‐ 5 HBC and PCDTBT‐ 10 HBC, were synthesized by incorporating different amounts of HBC as the third component into poly[N‐9′‐heptadecanyl‐2,7‐carbazole‐alt‐5,5′‐(4′,7′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐2′,1′,3′‐benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) through Suzuki coupling polymerization. For comparison, the donor–acceptor (D –A) conjugated dipolymer PCDTBT was also synthesized to investigate the effect of HBC units on conjugated polymers. The HBC‐containing polymers exhibited higher thermal stabilities, broader absorption spectra, and lower highest‐occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels. In particular, the field‐effect mobilities were enhanced by more than one order of magnitude after the incorporation of HBC into the conjugated polymer backbone on account of increased interchain π–π stacking interactions. The bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer solar cells (PSCs) fabricated with the polymers as donor and PC₇₁BM as acceptor demonstrated gradual improvement of open‐circuit voltage (V_OC) and short‐circuit current (J_SC) with the increase in HBC content. As a result, the PCEs were improved from 3.21 % for PCDTBT to 3.78 % for PCDTBT‐ 5 HBC and then to 4.20 % for PCDTBT‐ 10 HBC.     

Detection of TNT explosives with a new fluorescent conjugated polycarbazole polymer

A novel fluorescent poly(2,7-carbazole) with a 4-[tris-(4-octyloxyphenyl)methyl]phenyl side chain is used to detect the explosive compounds TNT and DNT. It shows high recycled fluorescence quenching sensitivity, which is due to its strong electron donating ability and weaker interaction between the polymer chains caused by the bulky side chain.     

Conducting polymers: Efficient thermoelectric materials

This review highlights the recent progress made in the area of thermoelectric (TE) applications of conducting polymers and related composites. Several examples of such materials and their TE properties are discussed. TE properties of new poly(2,7‐carbazole) derivatives are highlighted. References are also made to carbon nanotube/polymer composites and their improved electrical and TE performance. Studies on polymer/inorganic materials composites have also taken a step forward and have shown very promising TE properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Liquid crystalline polyfluorenes for blue polarized electroluminescence

A series of 9,9‐dialkyl‐poly(fluorene‐2,7‐diyl)s containing linear and branched alkyl substituents with a M_n of up to 200000 g/mol has been synthesized. Moreover, some of the polymers were end capped with a suitable hole transport functionality, such as a triphenylamine derivative, to improve their charge transport properties and to control the molecular weight. The thermal alignment of these novel polymers on a rubbed polyimide layer led to highly anisotropic film formation with dichroic ratios (absorption parallel and perpendicular to the rubbing direction) of up to 26 in absorption and 21 in emission.