Anisotropic Conjugated Polymer Chain Conformation Tailors the Energy Migration in Nanofibers

Andrea Camposeo, Ryan D. Pensack, Maria Moffa, Vito Fasano, Davide Altamura, Cinzia Giannini, Dario Pisignano, Gregory D. Scholes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are complex multichromophore systems, with emission properties strongly dependent on the electronic energy transfer through active subunits. Although the packing of the conjugated chains in the solid state is known to be a key factor to tailor the electronic energy transfer and the resulting optical properties, most of the current solution-based processing methods do not allow for effectively controlling the molecular order, thus making the full unveiling of energy transfer mechanisms very complex. Here we report on conjugated polymer fibers with tailored internal molecular order, leading to a significant enhancement of the emission quantum yield. Steady state and femtosecond time-resolved polarized spectroscopies evidence that excitation is directed toward those chromophores oriented along the fiber axis, on a typical time scale of picoseconds. These aligned and more extended chromophores, resulting from the high stretching rate and electric field applied during the fiber spinning process, lead to improved emission properties. Conjugated polymer fibers are relevant to develop optoelectronic plastic devices with enhanced and anisotropic properties.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)15497-15505
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume138
Issue number47
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 30 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Catalysis
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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