Highly processable, rubbery poly(n-butyl acrylate) grafted poly(phenylene vinylene)s

Abstract

In this study, we have demonstrated a suitable methodology towards tailoring the optical and physical properties of poly(phenylene vinylene)s (PPVs) by grafting poly(n-butyl acrylate) side chains to yield highly processable PPVs with the physical characteristics of the grafted polymer. Grafting from the PPV macroinitiators was conducted using activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) technique. The resulting graft copolymers showed significant enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yield in both solution and in the solid state while exhibiting lower glass transition temperature and dry adhesive properties compared to the ungrafted PPVs, thereby signifying the methodology as an attractive tool for fabricating functional conjugated polymers with desired physical characteristics.