Journal Article

Precision Synthesis of Conjugated Polymer Films by Surface-Confined Stepwise Sonogashira Cross-Coupling

Kuruppu Arachchige, Neepa M. K., Nesterov, Evgueni E., Chiang, Chien-Hung, Lu, Lu, Youm, Sang Gil, Howell, Mitchell T., Strzalka, Joseph, Ankner, John F., Losovyj, Yaroslav, Garno, Jayne C.

2024

Overview

Thin films of poly(arylene ethynylene)-conjugated polymers, including low-energy-gap donor–acceptor polymers, can be prepared via stepwise polymerization utilizing surface-confined Sonogashira cross-coupling. This robust and efficient polymerization protocol yields conjugated polymers with a precise molecular structure and with nanometer-level control of the organization and the uniform alignment of the macromolecular chains in the densely packed film. In addition to high stability and predictable and well-defined molecular organization and morphology, the surface-confined conjugated polymer chains experience significant interchain electronic interactions, resulting in dominating intermolecular π-electron delocalization which is primarily responsible for the electronic and spectroscopic properties of polymer films. The fluorescent films demonstrate remarkable performance in chemosensing applications, showing a turn-off fluorescent response on the sub-ppt (part per trillion) level of nitroaromatic explosives in water. This unique sensitivity is likely related to the enhanced exciton mobility in the uniformly aligned and structurally monodisperse polymer films.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: detection of nitroaromatic compounds / Dielectric films / Efficiency / Energy transfer / excitation energy transfer / fluorescent sensor / INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY / Iodine / Molecular structure / Morphology / Polymer films / polymer thin films / Polymerization / Polymers / Sonogashira cross-coupling / Spectrum analysis / stepwise polymerization / Thin films