Incorporation of conjugated polymers (CPs) into an inorganic host allows modulation of the optical properties and aggregation state of the CP1, whilst simultaneously improving the environmental stability.2 However, due to the chemical incompatibility of the two components, inhibiting phase separation across all length scales can be challenging.1 Here, we investigate the potential of di-ureasil hybrids, comprised of an organic polyether grafted onto a siliceous network via urea linkages,3 as host materials for CPs. Blue-emitting CPs (Fig. 1a) were incorporated into the di-ureasil, resulting in a dramatic enhancement in the photoluminescence quantum yield to ~60%. Subsequent inclusion of red-emitting CPs (Fig. 1c) enabled the emission color to be tuned across the blue-white-yellow spectral region via Förster resonance energy transfer. Results for the structural and optical characterization of these materials will be presented and provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for the observed photophysical behaviour. CP-di-ureasils can be cast as thin films from solution, retaining their emission properties, making them intriguing prospects for light-emitting devices and optical sensors. 1. R. C. Evans, A. G. Macedo, S. Pradhan, U. Scherf, L. D. Carlos, H. D. Burrows, Adv. Mater., 2010, 22, 3032. 2. S. Kirmayer, E. Dovgolevsky, M. Kalina, E. Lakin, S. Cadars, et al., Chem. Mater., 2008, 20, 3745. 3. L. D. Carlos, R. A. Sá Ferreira, R. N. Pereira, M. Assuncão, V. de Zea Bermudez, J. Phys. Chem. B., 2004, 108, 14924.

Versatile conjugated polymer/di-ureasil hybrid materials: From enhanced emission quantum yields to white light emission

249th National Meeting (2015)

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