New azo chromophore-containing conjugated polymers: Facile synthesis by using "Click" chemistry and enhanced nonlinear optical properties through the introduction of suitable isolation groups

Abstract

A new series of azobenzene-containing polyfluorenes have been successfully prepared through polymer reactions by the utilization of "click" chemistry. All the polymers were well characterized and soluble in common solvents. By the application of the concept of "suitable isolation group", the macroscopic nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the polymers could be boosted to as large as three times that of the polymer without isolation moieties. Also, all the polymers were thermally stable, and demonstrated good procesability, coupled with improved optical transparency. Thus, they are good candidates for the practical applications as new photonic materials. © 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.