Enhanced emission from Alq₃ in amphiphilic block copolymers PEG‐b‐PVK‐co‐Alq₃ synthesized via RAFT polymerization

Abstract

A series of amphiphilic poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) block copolymers containing tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq 3 ) have been synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization with trithiocarbonate terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a RAFT agent. The chemical structures of the block copolymers have been identified by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The analysis of gel permeation chromatography indicates that the polydispersity indices of the block copolymers are lower than 1.30. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that the decomposition temperatures of the copolymers are higher than 330 8C. The optical properties of the copolymers have been investigated and the obviously enhanced emission from Alq 3 has been found due to resonance energy transfer from PVK to Alq 3 . V C 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44573.

Recent Advances in RAFT Polymerization: Novel Initiation Mechanisms and Optoelectronic Applications

“…The fluorescent organic nanoparticles that were obtained from the self-assemble of this copolymer showed the good biocompatibility and excellent florescence, rendering it a promising material for the application in cell imaging [ 131 ]. Kong et al synthesized an amphiphilic poly( N -vinyl carbazole) (PVK)-based block copolymer with the pendent of tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq 3 ) using trithiocarbonate terminated PEG as a RAFT agent [ 132 ]. The resonance energy transfer from PVK to Alq 3 could give raise to the enhancement of emission from Alq 3 , which made it an excellent material as electron-transporting and emission layer in OLED.…”