TCNE-decorated triphenylamine-based conjugated polymer: Click synthesis and efficient turn-on fluorescent probing for Hg2+

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.dyepig.2013.12.016

A type of triphenylamine-based conjugated polymer with cyano-containing chromophore in side chain, poly[(9,9-dioctyl)-2,7-fluorene-co-N-4-(1,1,4,4- tetracyanobuta-1,3-dienyl)-4,4′-triphenylamine] (P3) was successfully synthesized by catalyst-free and efficient click reaction between poly[(9,9-dioctyl)-2,7-fluorene-co-N-4-ethynyl-4,4′-triphenylamine] (P2) and tetracyanoethylene (TCNE). Chemical structures of intermediates and target polymer were verified by FT-IR and ¹H NMR analyses. Fluorescence of P3's THF solution was specifically quenched by the introduction of I ^-, accompanied by the change of its apparent color from pale brown to light yellow. With the introduction of Hg²⁺, fluorescence of P3/I^- complex recovered quickly and even exceeded the initial intensity of pristine P3 (when the concentration of Hg²⁺ above ～6.65 × 10^-5 M). Other common cations brought very slight interference for P3/I^- complex's response of Hg²⁺, and the detection limit of Hg²⁺ reached ～6.9 nM for such probing system.2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.