Targeted design leads to tunable photoluminescence from perylene dicarboxdiimide–poly(oxyalkylene)/siloxane hybrids for luminescent solar concentrators. Issue 18 (31st March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meazzini, Ilaria; Willis-Fox, Niamh; Blayo, Camille; Arlt, Jochen; Clément, Sébastien; Evans, Rachel C.
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 4:Issue 18(2016)
• Page Start: 4049
• Page End: 4059
• Publication Date: 2016-03-31
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c5tc03952e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : The chain length and branching of the organic backbone of poly(oxyalkylene)/siloxane ureasils can be used to control the placement and orientation of a covalently-grafted perylene, leading to tunable photoluminescence. Abstract : A series of organic–inorganic hybrid materials in which a perylene carboxdiimide-bridged triethoxysilane (PDI-Sil ) is covalently grafted to the siliceous domains of poly(oxyalkylene)/siloxane hybrids from the ureasil family has been synthesised (PDI-Sil -ureasils), with the aim of tailoring the optical properties towards their future application in luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs). Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence studies revealed that the ureasil host is able to isolatePDI-Sil, which inhibits the formation of aggregates. The ureasil also functions as an active host, with its intrinsic photoluminescence contributing to the optical properties of the hybrid material. Through strategic variation of the branching and molecular weight of the poly(oxyalkylene) backbone, it was shown that the efficiency of energy transfer from the ureasil host to thePDI-Sil can be modulated, which tunes the emission colour from pink to orange. The chain length, rather than the number of branches, on the poly(oxyalkylene) backbone was shown to influence the photoluminescence most significantly. Since ureasils demonstrate waveguiding properties, the results indicate that covalent grafting of a fluorophore directly to a waveguide host may provide an attractive route to more efficient LSCs.