The synthesis and characterisation of fluorescent poly(heteroaromatic oxadiazole)s

Abstract

Five polymers comprising alternating electron-donating thiophene and electron-withdrawing oxadiazole units have been synthesised by polycondensation reaction. The optical and charge transporting properties of the polymers were investigated by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Thermal stability of the polymers has also been studied. All polymers depicted blue fluorescence and high fluorescence quantum efficiency. The influence of the introduction of an electron-donating alkoxy group to both the 3- and 4-positions of the thiophene ring and the length of the alkoxy side chain on properties of the polymers were discussed.