Electrodeposition of high quality and freestanding poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-thiophene) films with good fluorescence properties

The copolymerization of 9,9-dioctylfluorene (DOF) and thiophene (Th) was successfully achieved by direct anodic oxidation of monomer mixtures on platinum or stainless steel electrodes in boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) containing additional 20% diethyl ether (by volume). The incorporation of Th units can produce high quality and freestanding poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-thiophene) [poly(Th-co-DOF)] films with tunable fluorescence properties. As-formed copolymers were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, infrared, UV-visible, fluorescence spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Copolymers films showed good electrochemical behavior and thermal stability. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated that the copolymer films have strong emissions from 390 to 500 nm, making them good candidates for application as blue-green light-emitting materials.