De-aggregation of a polyfluorene derivative in clay nanocomposites: A photophysical study

The de-aggregation of a very luminescent polyfluorene derivative poly(9,9-di-hexylfluorenediyl divinylene-alt-1,4-phenylenevinylene), which has a high tendency to π-stacking aggregation was achieved through the interaction of the polymer with clay in clay/polymer nanocomposites. The mixing of diluted toluene polymer solutions with kaolinite was enough to promote the de-aggregation, even without the indication of polymer intercalation, indicating that the polymer de-aggregation was obtained due to its interactions with clay platelet surfaces. The photoluminescence observed for the dispersed polymer on clays showed an increase in intensity and a blue-shift of the photoluminescence, when compared with pure pristine material in thin film form. The results presented bring the possibility to produce more efficient polymer based devices and to carry single molecule studies using nanocomposite film formation.