Poly(9,9-dihexylfluorene) layers grown via surface-directed Ni(0) condensation polymerization

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Conjugated polymers like polyfluorenes offer unique electronic and optical properties.
• Grafting polymers onto surfaces is crucial for creating functionalized materials.
• Controlled synthesis of polymer layers on substrates remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for synthesizing covalently grafted poly(9,9-dihexyl fluorene) (PF) layers on silicon and quartz substrates.
• To create brush-like polymer architectures on surfaces for potential applications in electronics and photonics.

Main Methods:

• Functionalization of silicon and quartz surfaces with a silane coupling agent containing a dibromofluorene unit.
• Synthesis of a novel silane coupling agent: (3,3'-(2,7-dibromo-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(propane-3,1-diyl))bis(trichlorosilane).
• Surface-directed Ni(0)-mediated coupling polymerization of 2,7-dibromo-9,9-dihexylfluorene from the functionalized surface.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized a functional silane coupling agent for surface modification.
• Achieved surface-directed polymerization to create covalently grafted PF layers.
• Characterized the resulting polymer-coated surfaces using contact angle, film thickness, AFM, and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Conclusions:

• A simple and effective technique for synthesizing brush-like conjugated polymer layers on silicon and quartz was established.
• The method allows for controlled growth of poly(9,9-dihexyl fluorene) directly from functionalized surfaces.
• This approach offers a new route for creating advanced polymer-modified substrates.