Synthesis of grafted poly(p-phenyleneethynylene) via ARGET ATRP: Towards nonaggregating and photoluminescence materials

Abstract In this paper, the synthesis and characterisation of photoluminescent graft copolymers of poly( p- phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) with grafted poly( n -butyl acrylate) (P n BA) side chains is presented. The grafted copolymer exhibited the desired intrinsic physical properties of the grafted side chain polymer while preserving the optical properties of PPE. Grafting from the conjugated macroinitiator was conducted utilising activators regenerated by an electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) technique. The novel physical and optical properties of the grafted copolymer are reported and the enhancement of the quantum yield both in the solid and solution state can be attributed to the prevention of interchain interactions of the PPE chains. The enhancement of the photophysical properties observed upon grafting is greater than that seen in a similar PPV system.