Aerobic Solid State Red Phosphorescence from Benzobismole Monomers and Patternable Self-Assembled Block Copolymers.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Inorganic Chemistry

Background:

• Developing stable, non-toxic phosphorescent materials for solid-state applications is a significant challenge.
• Existing phosphors often rely on heavy or toxic elements, limiting their environmental compatibility and broad applicability.
• The demand for efficient red-emitting phosphors remains high in various technological fields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize the first bismuth-containing macromolecules exhibiting solid-state phosphorescence in the presence of oxygen.
• To explore the potential of these polymers as soluble and processable red-emitting phosphors.
• To investigate the formation of bismuth-rich nanostructures within block copolymer architectures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) protocol to synthesize high molecular weight polymers (>300 kDa).
• Incorporated benzobismoles onto a hydrocarbon scaffold to create bismuth-containing macromolecules.
• Investigated the formation of cross-linked networks and block copolymers using the developed procedure.

Main Results:

• Successfully synthesized soluble, high molecular weight polymers (>300 kDa) featuring bismuth.
• Demonstrated stable red phosphorescence in the solid state, even under ambient oxygen conditions.
• Achieved the formation of bismuth-rich cores in block copolymer micelles, enabling patterned bismuth arrays in films.

Conclusions:

• Introduced a new class of soluble and processable polymeric phosphors based on non-toxic bismuth.
• Established a versatile synthetic route for bismuth-containing macromolecules, networks, and block copolymers.
• Highlighted the potential of these materials for advanced optical and electronic applications, addressing the need for sustainable phosphorescent technologies.