Formation and characterization of stable fluorescent complexes between neutral conjugated polymers and cyclodextrins

Solubilisation and stabilization of conjugated polymers, CPs, in aqueous media remains a challenge for many researches trying to extend the biological and environmental applications of this kind of polymers. A number of different alternatives have been considered to address this problem, which are mostly based on the enhancement of the macromolecule polarity, by appending hydrophilic side chains on the polymer backbone. In this work we have investigated a new strategy in which water solubilization is reached by external addition of classical cyclodextrins (α-, β- and γ-CDs) to a solution of non-polar CPs. This strategy allows working with such polymers eliminating the need to synthesize new water-soluble species. The polymer selected for the study was poly-[9,9-bis(6'-bromohexyl-2,7-fluoren-dyil)-co-alt-(benzene-1,4-diy)], PFPBr(2), a polyfluorene previously synthesized in our laboratory. Results show that PFPBr(2) forms fluorescent complexes in aqueous media with β-CD and γ-CD, and much less efficiently with α-CD, probably due to the small size of its cavity. The new PFPBr(2)/CD complexes are stable in time and in a large range of pH, however, at high concentration and temperature, they tend to aggregate and precipitate. In order to increase stabilization and minimize polymer aggregation, complexes were encapsulated inside the pores of silica glasses fabricated using the sol-gel process, obtaining transparent and fluorescent hybrid matrices which were stable in time and temperature. In addition, immobilization of the complexes allows an easy manipulation of the material, thus offering promising applications in the development of biological and chemical sensors.