Low-potential facile electrosynthesis of free-standing poly(1H-benzo[g]indole) film as a yellow-light-emitter

Key Words:boron trifluoride diethyl etherate; conducting polymer; electrochemistry; electrochemical polymerization; fluorescence; poly(1H-benzo[g]indole); polyindole

Abstract:High-quality free-standing poly(1H-benzo[g]indole) (PBIn) films were synthesized electrochemically by direct anodic oxidation of 1H-benzo[g]indole (BIn) in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate. PBIn films obtained from this medium showed good electrochemical behavior and better thermal stability with a conductivity of 0.29 S cm(-1). PBIn films with low band gap value (1.59 eV) were insoluble in acetone and tetrahydrofuran. The structure and morphology of the polymer were studied by UV-vis, FTIR, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The results of quantum chemistry calculations and the spectroscopies of dedoped PBIn indicate that the polymerization of BIn mainly occurs via C-(2) and C-(5) position. The polymer film was compact with regular nanoparticles on the surface. Fluorescent spectral studies indicate that solid-state PBIn film is a good yellow-light-emitter. Thermal stability of PBIn film is higher than poly(indole-6-carboxylic acid), poly(5-formylindole), and polyindole. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the electrosynthesis of free-standing polyindole derivatives as yellow-light-emitter. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Volume:53

Issue:23

Translation or Not:no