Facile one-pot synthesis of rod-coil bio-block copolymers and uncovering their role in forming the efficient stretchable touch-responsive light emitting diodes

Abstract

One pot synthesized bio derived and polyfluorene-based (PF-based) conjugated block copolymers exhibited high mechanical flex-stretch endurance and could effectively suppress non-radiative recombination through insulating block present in the conjugated block contributes to higher exciton binding energy. They showed potential for fabricating highly durable wearable stretchable nano and microelectronic devices. • Facile synthesis of PF-based BCPs addresses the limitations in the synthetic field. • High PLQY value can be induced by coil block due to high EBE. • The LED with PF-BCPs exhibits 6 times EQE greater than one with PF homopolymer. • The stretchable LED shows high flexibility (strain 150%) and endurance (300 cycles). • The touch-responsive LEDs exhibits excellent stability and durability. Bio-derived optoelectronic material is captivating and sustainable research as it reduces the environmental toxicity and comforting the wearable aspects. Our research involves the synthesis of series of bio-derived polyfluorene- block -poly( δ -decanolactone) (PF- b -PDL) conjugated block copolymers through smart one-pot procedure that involves simple purification for fabricating touch-responsive light-emitting diode (LED) devices. Compared with PF homopolymer, the block copolymers exhibit higher photoluminescence quantum yields and higher exciton binding energies. PF 18 - b -PDL 13 specifically exhibits external quantum efficiency (EQE %) (~6 times higher than PF homopolymer). Moreover, because of coily PDL block inducing a highly stable bound state in block copolymer generating the increment in PL lifetime and exciton binding energies than the homopolymer. Furthermore, the diblock copolymers device exhibits fully solution processability, higher carrier recombination efficiency, flex-stretch stability, good structural integrity and mechanical endurance highlighting the brighter potential of our bio-derived block copolymers for fabricating highly durable wearable stretchable nano and microelectronic devices.