Diels-Alder Polymer Networks with Temperature-Reversible Cross-Linking-Induced Emission Yu Jiang*, and Nikos Hadjichristidis*

Hadjichristidis, Nikos; Jiang, Yu

Diels-Alder Polymer Networks with Temperature-Reversible Cross-Linking-Induced Emission Yu Jiang, and Nikos Hadjichristidis

Files

DDD_diels.pdf (1.21 MB)

Embargo End Date

2021-10-08

Type

Article

Authors

Hadjichristidis, Nikos

Jiang, Yu

KAUST Department

Chemical Science Program
KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division
Polymer Synthesis Laboratory

Online Publication Date

2020-11-19

Print Publication Date

2021-01-04

Date

2020-11-19

Submitted Date

2020-09-29

Abstract

A novel synthetic strategy toward reversible cross-linked polymeric materials with tunable fluorescence properties is presented. Dimaleimide-substituted tetraphenylethene (TPE-2MI), which is nonemissive due to the photo-induced electron transfer (PET) between maleimide (MI) and tetraphenylethene (TPE) groups, was used to cross-link random copolymers of methyl (MM), decyl (DM) or lauryl (LM) with furfuryl methacrylate (FM). The mixture of copolymer and TPE-2MI in DMF showed reversible fluorescence with “on/off” behavior depending on the Diels-Alder (DA)/retro-DA process, which is easily adjusted by temperature. At high temperatures, the retro-DA reaction of polymer networks is dominant, and the fluorescence is quenched by the PET mechanism. In contrast, at low temperatures, the emission recovers as the DA reaction takes over. Based on these results, a transparent PMFM/TPE-2MI film was prepared, and the emission behavior was investigated. It was found that the polymer film shows an accurate response to the external temperature and exhibited tunable fluorescent “turn on/off” behavior. These excitingresults suggest the possible application of this type of reversible cross-linked materials in many areas, including information security and transmission. An example of invisible/visible writing is given.

Citation

Hadjichristidis, N., & Jiang, Y. (2020). Diels-Alder Polymer Networks with Temperature-Reversible Cross-Linking-Induced Emission Yu Jiang*, and Nikos Hadjichristidis*. Angewandte Chemie. doi:10.1002/ange.202013183

Acknowledgements

The research reported in this publication was supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).