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Cyclodextrin-Threaded Conjugated Polyrotaxanes for Organic Electronics: The Influence of the Counter Cations†

  1. Gianluca Latini2,
  2. Lisa-Jodie Parrott2,
  3. Sergio Brovelli2,
  4. Michael J. Frampton1,
  5. Harry L. Anderson1,*,
  6. Franco Cacialli2,*

Article first published online: 23 JUL 2008

DOI: 10.1002/adfm.200800120

Issue

Advanced Functional Materials

Advanced Functional Materials

Volume 18, Issue 16, pages 2419–2427, August 22, 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Latini, G., Parrott, L.-J., Brovelli, S., Frampton, M. J., Anderson, H. L. and Cacialli, F. (2008), Cyclodextrin-Threaded Conjugated Polyrotaxanes for Organic Electronics: The Influence of the Counter Cations. Advanced Functional Materials, 18: 2419–2427. doi: 10.1002/adfm.200800120

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA (UK)

  2. 2

    Department of Physics and Astronomy and London Centre for Nanotechnology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT (UK)

*Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA (UK).

  1. †

    We thank the EPSRC, the Royal Society and the European Commission (THREADMILL – MRTN-CT-2006-036040) for financial support. One of the authors (S. B.) acknowledges support from the Fondazione Angelo Della Riccia.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 19 AUG 2008
  2. Article first published online: 23 JUL 2008
  3. Manuscript Revised: 2 MAY 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 24 JAN 2008

Funded by

  • EPSRC
  • Royal Society
  • European Commission (THREADMILL). Grant Number: MRTN-CT-2006-036040
Corrected by:

Correction: Cyclodextrin-Threaded Conjugated Polyrotaxanes for Organic Electronics: The Influence of the Counter Cations

Vol. 19, Issue 23, n/a, Article first published online: 3 DEC 2009

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Graphical Abstract

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The influence of counter cations on the optical properties of conjugated polyelectrolytes and of their cyclodextrin-threaded rotaxanes is studied. Exchange of Li+ with K+, Cs+, or Me4N+ results in higher electroluminescence efficiency for both rotaxanes and unthreaded polymers, narrowing (unthreaded analogues) and a slight red-shift of the absorption spectra (rotaxanes) and a blue-shift and PL efficiency enhancement of the luminescence.

Abstract

A systematic investigation is reported into the influence of the counter cations on the optical, electrical and electroluminescent properties of polyelectrolytic conjugated polymers and of their cyclodextrin-threaded rotaxanes. We compare conjugated polyelectrolytes with sulfonated side groups where the anionic charge is balanced by Li+, K+, Cs+, tetramethylammonium (Me4N+) and cryptate-encapsulated potassium (K+@[2.2.2]). Narrowing (for the unthreaded analogues) and a slight red-shift of the absorption spectra (for the rotaxanes) are found upon exchange of Li+ for larger cations, together with a blue-shift and an efficiency enhancement of the luminescence. These effects are similar in nature to those induced by rotaxination, and are therefore assigned to a marked reduction of intermolecular interactions between the conjugated cores. Exchange of Li+ for K+, Cs+, or Me4N+ results in a higher electroluminescence external quantum efficiency (EQE) for both polyrotaxanes and unthreaded polymers. For polyrotaxane-based devices the EQE increased approximately 7 times upon substitution of Li+ with Cs+ or Me4N+, thereby demonstrating the importance of the selection of the counter-cations for optimizing the performance of polyelectrolytic conjugated polymers in light-emitting devices.

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