Effect of conjugated polymer poly (9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) molecular weight change on the single chains, aggregation and β phase

Large Enhancement of Photoluminescence Obtained in Thin Polyfluorene Films of Optimized Microstructure

There is a clearly demonstrated relationship between the microstructure, processing and resulting optoelectronic properties of conjugated polymers. Here, we exploited this relationship by exposing polyfluorene thin films to various solvent vapors via confined-solvent vapor annealing to optimize their microstructure, with the final goal being to enhance their emission properties. Our results have demonstrated enlargements in photoluminescence intensity of up to 270%, 258% and 240% when thin films of polyfluorenes of average molecular weights of 105,491 g/mol, 63,114 g/mol and 14,000 g/mol, respectively, experienced increases in their β-phase fractions upon processing.

Ultrafast electron dynamics in excited states of conjugated thiophene-fluorene organic polymer (pF8T2) thin films

The electronic states of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-alt-bithiophene) pF8T2 on H/Si(100) substrates, prototypical for organic photovoltaics, were investigated by ultrafast photoelectron spectroscopy and by time-resolved fluorescence studies. Occupied and unoccupied electronic states were analysed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), static and dynamic femtosecond two-photon photoemission (2PPE), and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC). Time-resolved measurements allow assessment of population lifetimes of intermediate states. The combination of time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation allows following the electronic dynamics in excited states from the femtosecond to the nanosecond time scale. For this prototypical material the electron kinetic energy resolved lifetimes range from about a few tens of femtoseconds up to hundreds of picoseconds. After annealing these types of organic thin films the efficiency of organic solar cells usually increases. We show that annealing does not influence the initial ultrafast charge generation processes, but the long-lived states. However, the nanosecond scale fluorescence lifetimes measured by TCSPC are prolonged after annealing, which therefore is identified as the cause of a greater exciton diffusion range and thus is beneficial for charge carrier extraction.

Aggregation and Growth Mechanism of Ovalbumin and Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose Colloidal Particles under Thermal Induction

Ovalbumin (OVA)/sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) colloidal particles were prepared with different compactness and morphologies by regulating the interaction between proteins and polysaccharides during heating. Electrostatic interactions between the amine groups of OVA (-NH₃⁺) and carboxyl groups of CMC (-COO^-) enhanced complex formation. The protein conformation change benefited the hydrophobic interaction between the particles. Proteins in colloidal particles were unfolded/folded under thermal induction to form aggregates having more β-sheet structures. When the OVA/CMC ratio was 1:2, the initially loosely connected OVA/CMC aggregation changed into a uniform sphere between 25 and 90 °C. The mass ratio of OVA to CMC within the final colloidal particle (90 °C) was about 1:1.4. The OVA/CMC particle stability was maintained with hydrogen bonding, hydrophobicity, and disulfide bond. When OVA levels were predominant, OVA and CMC developed an approximately hollow sphere. Moreover, the final colloidal particle composition showed the OVA-to-CMC ratio as 3:1 (w/w). OVA bound into colloidal particle pores to increase compactness. Moreover, OVA and CMC bound to the colloidal particle while the particle shrank, thereby increasing the compactness of colloidal particles. There was a significant decrease in ABTS^•+ scavenging activity of curcumin compared with that of the particles with a ratio of 1:2. Thus, the rational adjustment of the structure of colloidal particles could effectively enhance their functional characteristics, providing a new way for the controlled release of the active ingredients.

Study of the Chain Condensation Process from a Dilute to a Concentrated Solution and the Transformation of the Chain Conformation from a Solution to a Film for the Conjugated Polymer PFO

The chain behavior in a precursor solution and its condensation process are still key issues that have been paid close attention to but have not been solved yet for semirigid conjugated polymers. In this research, the chain condensation process from a dilute to a concentrated solution and the transformation of the chain conformation from a solution to a film for the conjugated polymer poly(9,9'-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) were investigated by a scaling law method obtained from rheological measurements. By establishing a scaling relationship between specific viscosity and concentration, it was found that the motion of molecular chains conformed to the Zimm model in dilute solution, and the motion of molecular chains conformed to the Rouse model in semidilute unentangled solution as well as conformed to the Edwards tube model in semidilute entangled solution. Furthermore, it was also found that toluene is a θ solvent for PFO at 25 °C. Some important physical parameters in connection with PFO intrinsic properties were also obtained here, such as intrinsic viscosity [η] = 136.84 mL g-1, root-mean-square end-to-end distance R = 41.4 nm, and Kuhn segment length b = 6.28 nm. In particular, this was the first time that the effect of the film-forming process of spin coating on the transformation proces of the PFO chain conformation from the precursor solution to a film was studied, and the spin-coating time (t) was found to be several orders of magnitude longer than the PFO chain relaxation time (τ Z(τ R)). This research enriches knowledge and understanding of the chain behavior in the precursor solution for semirigid conjugated polymers and reveals the correlation of chain behaviors in solution with the film's condensed state structure in the process of chain dynamic evolution from a solution to a film.

Intermolecular CH-π Electrons Interaction in Poly (9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO): An Experimental and Theoretical Study

This study demonstrates the presence of CH-π interaction in poly [9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl] (PFO-1) due to an aggregate formation of PFO-1 in the liquid state. The absorption spectra of PFO-1 in certain solvents at low concentrations showed a single band at 390 nm. However, when using high concentrations, a new band at 437 nm appeared. This band is due to the aggregate formation of PFO-1. The aggregate formation occurs as a result of the CH interaction of the n-alkyl side chains with π-electrons in the benzene ring. The optical characteristics of another conjugated polymer of poly [9,9-di-(2-ethylhexyl)-fluorenyl-2,7-diyl] (PFO-2) were investigated to confirm the CH-π interaction. The absorption showed only one wavelength at 390 nm without any new band at the end of the spectrum, even at higher concentrations and lower temperatures. The main reason for the absence of aggregate formation in PFO-2 is the sterical hindrance caused by the branched alkyl side chains. In addition, Density Functional Theory (DFT) was used to compute the HOMO–LUMO transitions, electron charge distribution, and frontier molecular orbitals for each polymer. The Mulliken charge distribution and demonstrated a notable difference in the reactivity of the alkyl side chain, confirming the higher ability of PFO-1 to form CH-π bonds. docking model emphasized that the band at 437 nm could be attributed to the interaction between CH in the n-alkyl side chain and π bonds in the aromatic rings of PFO-1.

Synthesis of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) in a rotating packed bed with enhanced performance for polymer light-emitting diode

One of the most suitable methods for synthesizing conjugated polymers is the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction because of high tolerance and stability. Herein, we report an improved strategy to synthesize conjugated...

The adsorption of aromatic macromolecules on graphene with entropy-tailored behavior and its utilization in exfoliating graphite

Aromatic macromolecules tend to form a compact conformation after physically adsorbed on graphene and it brings about great entropy loss for physisorption, due to the strong interaction between aromatic macromolecules and graphene. However, previous researches have validated the availability of aromatic macromolecules to stabilize graphene based on physisorption. In order to clarify the underlying mechanism of this physisorption process on graphene, a series of aromatic polyamide copolymers are used as models in this research. Apart from their adsorbed conformations on graphene, the conformations of these copolymers as the free states in diluted solutions are taken into consideration. Although these copolymers present the fully extended conformation on graphene, their conformations in diluted solutions vary largely with the copolymer composition. It is verified that the copolymer with smaller conformational change could have the better stabilization effectiveness for graphene, rather than the one having stronger interaction with graphene. Therefore, the entropy-tailored behavior for the adsorption of aromatic macromolecules on graphene is put forward. Based on this mechanism, the chemical structure of aromatic polyamide is optimized and furthermore it is utilized to directly exfoliate natural graphite flakes. Eventually, high-quality graphene nanosheets with a large dimension and low defects are obtained. Moreover, its exfoliating effectiveness is superior to those of the commonly used exfoliating agents nowadays.

Real-Time Monitoring of Formation and Dynamics of Intra- and Interchain Phases in Single Molecules of Polyfluorene

Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) is one of the most important conjugated polymer materials, exhibiting outstanding photophysical and electrical properties. PFO is also known for a diversity of morphological phases determined by conformational states of the main chain. Our goal in this work is to address some of the key questions on formation and dynamics of one such conformation, the β-phase, by following in real time the evolution of fluorescence spectra of single PFO chains. The PFO is dispersed in a thin polystyrene film, and the spectra are monitored during the process of solvent vapor annealing with toluene. We confirm unambiguously that the PFO β-phase segments are formed on a true single-chain level at room temperature in the solvent-softened polystyrene. We further find that the formation of the β-phase is a dynamic and reversible process occurring on the order of seconds, leading to repeated spontaneous transitions between the glassy and β-phase segments during the annealing. Comparison of PFO with two largely different molecular weights (M_w) shows that chains with lower M_w form the β-phase segments much faster. For the high M_w PFO chains, a detailed Franck-Condon analysis of the β-phase spectra shows a large distribution of the Huang-Rhys factor, S, and even dynamic changes of this factor occurring on a single chain. Such dynamics are likely a manifestation of changing coherence length of the exciton. Further, for the high M_w PFO chains we observe an additional conformational state, a crystalline γ-phase. The γ-phase formation is also a spontaneous reversible process in the solvent-softened matrix. The phase can form from both the β-phase and the glassy phase, and the formation requires high M_w to enable intersegment interactions in a self-folded chain.

Unlocking the action mechanisms of molecular nonlinear optical absorption for optical conjugated polymers under aggregation states

Controlling the molecular microstructure and the molecular aggregation state under different conditions to improve the MNOA performance of OCPs.

Dynamic Evolution from Chain Disorder to Order of PTB7 Condensed State Structures under External Fields

In this research, the effect of external fields (solvent, temperature, solution concentration, and external force) on dynamic evolution from chain disorder to order of poly[[4,8-bis[(2-ethylhexyl)oxy]benzo[1,2- b:4,5- b']dithiophene-2,6-diyl][3-fluoro-2-[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4- b]thiophenediyl]] (PTB7) condensed state structures was explored by UV-vis absorption spectra, atomic force microscope, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that PTB7 main chains presented amorphous conformations induced by the poor solvent 1,2-dichloroethane. However, the local ordered aggregation appeared in amorphous conformations when the solubility of the poor solvent was again lowered by reducing temperature. It is worth noting that the size of ordered aggregation was further increased with the decrease of solution concentration or increase of external force. It was found that there were two main PTB7 absorption peaks in the UV-vis absorption spectra; we denoted A_0 -0 for the intensity of the lower energy absorption peak and A_0-1 for the intensity of the higher energy absorption peak. The ratio R = A_0-0/ A_0-1 was used to characterize the dynamic evolution from disorder to order of the PTB7 condensed state structures in absorption spectra. It increased from 0.94 for PTB7 amorphous state to 1.25 for PTB7 large-size ordered aggregation. The dynamic evolution from chain disorder to order could also be distinctly observed by TEM. It was inferred that PTB7 condensed state structures (amorphous state, local ordered aggregation, and large-scale ordered aggregation) might exist simultaneously because of the complexity of copolymer conformations. This research is meaningful to establish physical basis for the molecule design and the synthesis of materials to enhance photoelectronic device efficiency based on condensed matter physics of conjugated polymer.

Photophysical and Fluorescence Anisotropic Behavior of Polyfluorene β-Conformation Films

We demonstrate a systematic visualization of the unique photophysical and fluorescence anisotropic properties of polyfluorene coplanar conformation (β-conformation) using time-resolved scanning confocal fluorescence imaging (FLIM) and fluorescence anisotropy imaging microscopy (FAIM) measurements. We observe inhomogeneous morphologies and fluorescence decay profiles at various micrometer-sized regions within all types of polyfluorene β-conformational spin-coated films. Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) and poly[4-(octyloxy)-9,9-diphenylfluoren-2,7-diyl]-co-[5-(octyloxy)-9,9-diphenylfluoren-2,7-diyl] (PODPF) β-domains both have shorter lifetime than those of the glassy conformation for the longer effective conjugated length and rigid chain structures. Besides, β-conformational regions have larger fluorescence anisotropy for the low molecular rotational motion and high chain orientation, while the low anisotropy in glassy conformational regions shows more rotational freedom of the chain and efficient energy migration from amorphous regions to β-conformation as a whole. Finally, ultrastable ASE threshold in the PODPF β-conformational films also confirms its potential application in organic lasers. In this regard, FLIM and FAIM measurements provide an effective platform to explore the fundamental photophysical process of conformational transitions in conjugated polymer.