Molecular engineering leading to better processability of conjugated chromophores: The optical properties of new soluble copolymers containing alternative oligo-octylthiophene and oligo-methylene blocks

A series of conjugated/non-conjugated copolymers and their corresponding oligomers were prepared and their optical and physical properties were investigated for understanding the merit of blocking the conjugated chromophores with non-conjugated spacers. It was found that compared to the oligomers, copolymers have the advantages of amorphous nature, high thermal stability, and good thin film processability without sacrificing the quantum efficiency and purity of the emission color. Furthermore, based on the optical data of these copolymers and oligomers, the conjugation length of the polyoctylthiophene was estimated to be extended over 23–31 octylthiophene rings.