All‐Conjugated Polymer Core–Shell and Core–Shell–Shell Particles with Tunable Emission Profiles and White Light Emission. Issue 25 (21st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haehnle, Bastian; Schuster, Philipp A.; Chen, Lisa; Kuehne, Alexander J. C.
• Is Part Of: Small. Volume 17:Issue 25(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-05-21
• Subjects: conjugated polymer particles -- core–shell particles -- white light emission; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanoparticles -- Periodicals; Microtechnology -- Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101411
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1613-6810

Abstract

Abstract: Future applications of conjugated polymer particles (CPP) in medicine, organic photonics, and optoelectronics greatly depend on high performance and precisely adjustable optical properties of the particles. To meet these criteria, current particle systems often combine conjugated polymers with inorganic particles in core–shell geometries, extending the possible optical characteristics of CPP. However, current conjugated polymer particles are restricted to a single polymer phase composed of a distinct polymer or a polymer blend. Here, a synthetic toolbox is presented that enables the synthesis of monodisperse core–shell and core–shell–shell particles, which consist entirely of conjugated polymers but of different types in the core and the shells. Seeded and fed‐batch dispersion polymerizations based on Suzuki–Miyaura‐type cross‐coupling are investigated. The different approaches allow accurate control over the created interface between the conjugated polymer phases and thus also over the energy transfer phenomena between them. This approach opens up completely new synthetic freedom for fine tuning of the optical properties of CPP, enabling, for example, the synthesis of individual white light‐emitting particles. Abstract : Core–shell and core–shell–shell conjugated polymer particles are synthesized via seeded and fed‐batch dispersion polymerization. Depending on the method, the interface between the core and the shell polymers is either sharp or a gradual transition. The optical properties of the resulting particles can be fine‐tuned in such way, that the particles are emitting white light.