Novel conjugated polyelectrolytes based on polythiophene bearing phosphonium side groups

• Published in: European polymer journal 2016-10, Vol.83, p.367-376
• Main Authors: Hladysh, Sviatoslav, Bondarev, Dmitrij, Svoboda, Jan, Vohlídal, Jiří, Vrbata, David, Zedník, Jiří
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Bromides; Conjugated polymers; Fluorescence; Luminescence; Maxima; Phosphines; Polyelectrolytes; Polythiophene; Solvents
• ISSN: 0014-3057; 1873-1945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.07.019

[Display omitted] •Polythiophene based polyelectrolytes were prepared.•Three polymer precursors differing in MW and Head-to-Tail regioregularity.•Dependence of optical properties on the used solvent was studied in detail.•Structure of the polyelectrolytes significantly influenced fluorescence quenching. The synthesis and photophysical properties of poly{3-[6-(triethylphosphonium)hexyl]-thiophene-2,5-diyl bromide} and poly{3-[6-(triphenylphosphonium)hexyl]-thiophene-2,5-diyl bromide} are reported in the present contribution. Three various polymer precursors (poly[3-(6-bromohexyl)thiophene-2,5-diyl]s) with molecular weights 7.2, 11.8 and 13.2kgmol−1 respectively and head to tail regioregularity from 62% to 94% were prepared and consecutively transformed into the corresponding polyelectrolytes by a simple quaternization reaction with appropriate phosphines. Synthesized polyelectrolytes exhibited solvatochromism. Detailed aggregation experiments via changing water/DMSO ratio have been performed. Photoluminiscence spectra of the polyelectrolyte solutions indicate that the emission maxima are red-shifted gradually with the increasing solvent polarity. Fluorescence quenching has been studied by interaction with model quenchers: K4[Fe(CN)6] and K3[Fe(CN)6] in water using Stern-Volmer methodology.