Enhanced emission from Alq3 in amphiphilic block copolymers PEG-b-PVK-co-Alq3 synthesized via RAFT polymerization

A series of amphiphilic poly(N-vinyl carbazole) (PVK) block copolymers containing tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (Alq(3)) have been synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization with trithiocarbonate terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a RAFT agent. The chemical structures of the block copolymers have been identified by H-1 nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The analysis of gel permeation chromatography indicates that the polydispersity indices of the block copolymers are lower than 1.30. The results of thermogravimetric analysis show that the decomposition temperatures of the copolymers are higher than 330 degrees C. The optical properties of the copolymers have been investigated and the obviously enhanced emission from Alq(3) has been found due to resonance energy transfer from PVK to Alq(3). (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.