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Polysiloxane-based luminescent elastomers prepared by thiol-ene "click" chemistry
Yujing Zuo1, Haifeng Lu, Lei Xue
1Key Laboratory of Special Functional Aggregated Materials and Key Laboratory of Colloid and Interface Chemistry, Shandong University, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jinan 250100 (P.R. China), Fax: (+86) 531-88564464.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 30, 2014
Summary
New luminescent silicone elastomers were created using europium (Eu(III)) complexes. These flexible, thermally stable materials emit intense red light and have potential for optical and electronic applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
Background:
- Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is a versatile polymer.
- Functionalization of PDMS can introduce new properties.
- Europium complexes are known for their luminescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize novel luminescent silicone elastomers.
- To incorporate europium (Eu(III)) into functionalized PDMS networks.
- To investigate the properties and potential applications of these materials.
Main Methods:
- Modification of side-chain vinyl PDMS with mercapto-functionalized acids.
- Coordinative bonding of Eu(III) to functionalized PDMS.
- Thiol-ene curing reactions to form crosslinked elastomers.
- Characterization using FTIR, NMR, UV/Vis, luminescence spectroscopy, SEM, TGA, and XPS.
Main Results:
- Transparent, flexible, and thermally stable europium-containing silicone elastomers were successfully prepared.
- The elastomers exhibited intense red luminescence at 617 nm due to Eu(III) (5)D0 →(7)F2 transition under UV excitation.
- The materials demonstrated good mechanical flexibility and were insoluble and infusible.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized europium-functionalized silicone elastomers are promising luminescent materials.
- Their unique combination of optical and mechanical properties makes them suitable for optical and electronic applications.
- This work expands the development of advanced functional polymer-based materials.
