Photophysical properties of a series of blue-emitting rigid–flexible polyethers in solution and in thin films

This work describes the photophysical properties of a new series of blue-emitting rigid–flexible polyethers in solution and in thin films, namely, poly(2′′,5′′-dihexyloxy-p-quinquephenyl-4,4′′′′-α,ω-dioxyalkylene). These polymers have high fluorescence yields and spectroscopic properties that can be tailored by choosing the appropriate rigid–flexible segment size. The polymers demonstrate a marked odd–even effect for both glass transition temperature and fluorescence quantum yield with respect to spacer length. Odd–even effects are usually observed in the solid state but the present polymers demonstrate odd–even effects in fluorescence efficiency even in solution. In addition, extensive spectral narrowing by waveguide gain can be obtained with a member of the series when deposited in a thin film. Their properties make these polymers interesting candidates for photonic applications.