Synthesis and characterization of fluorene homopolymers, copolymers and fluorene copolymer/silica nanocomposites

Abstract

A series of fluorene homopolymers with alkyl side chains, poly(9,9-dialkylfluorene)s have been synthesized utilizing FeCl3 as an oxidizing agent. The polymers in their CHCl3 solution are fluorescent with blue-light emissions observable to the naked eye. A series of novel fluorene copolymers containing hydroxyl groups in side-chains have also been prepared by chemical. The copolymers have been characterized by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, UV-Vis, PL, GPC, TG and MDSC. The polymers are fluorescent with blue-light emissions in their CHCl3 solution whilst emit green light in solid state upon UV excitation. Moreover, a series of fluorene copolymer/SiO2 nanocomposites have been prepared by the sol-gel method. The density of the SiO2 nanoparticle in composites increases with the SiO2 content while the size remains about 100~200 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of nanocomposite system has been increased with increasing the SiO2 content. Furthermore, the relative intensity of the peaks in the photoluminescence spectrum has been changed with incorporation of SiO2 component.