Synthesis and electro-optical properties of self-doped ionic conjugated polymers: poly[2-ethynyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)pyridinium betaine]

A noble self-dopable conjugated polybetaine, poly[2-ethynyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)pyridinium betaine] (PESPB) was synthesized by the activated polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine with 1,4-butanesultone without any additional initiator or catalyst. This polymerization proceeded at the condition of high temperature (130 °C). The polymer yield and inherent viscosity were 82% and 0.13 dl/g, respectively. The chemical structure of PESPB was identified by various instrumental methods to have a conjugated ionic polymer bearing the sulfobetaine moieties. This poly(sulfobetaine) was found to be more soluble in salt solution than in salt-free solution. The photoluminescence peak is located at 530 nm corresponding to the photon energy of 2.34 eV. The photoluminescence intensity was increased as the temperature is increased. At 1 kHz and room temperature, the dielectric constant and electrical conductivity of PESPB were 5.7 and 3.5 × 10−9 S/cm, respectively.