Cationic polyfluorene : conformation and aggregation in a "good" solvent

• The conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) poly{9,9'-bis[6 ''-(N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexylfluorene-alt-co-phenylene] dibromide} (PFPN+Br-) demonstrates a high solubility in methanol in comparison to other more hydrophilic or hydrophobic solvents. We have employed a combination of pulsed-field-gradient-NMR, photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy to establish the conformation and aggregation behavior of PFPN+Br- in methanol, with the aim to attain information on how to design CPEs with a high solubility in a preferred solvent. We find that the diffusion coefficient and PL spectrum of PFPN+Br-, as well as the Raman-active methyl rocking mode of methanol, all exhibit a strong dependence on PFPN+Br- concentration. We rationalize our findings with a model in which PFPN+Br- forms aggregates via ∏-∏ interactions between main-chain segments, while the ionic side chains are surrounded and electrostatically screened by the methanol solvent. Accordingly, the notably high solubility of PFPN+Br- in methanol is rationalized by favorable interactions between the ionic side chains and the methanol molecules. We propose that an appropriate design of a high-solubility CPE should consider a matching of the mixed hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the ionic side chain with that of the preferred solvent.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

SOLUBLE CONJUGATED POLYMERS; EMITTING ELECTROCHEMICAL-CELL; DUAL ELECTROLUMINESCENCE; HIGH-EFFICIENCY; DNA DETECTION; LIGHT; POLYELECTROLYTES; FLUORESCENCE; DEVICES; SPECTROSCOPY

Macromolecular physics

Makromolekylfysik

fysik

Physics

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