Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of pyrene-incorporated organic-inorganic polymer hybrids

Pyrene-incorporated organic-inorganic polymer hybrids were synthesized from methacryloyl monomers, tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) and pyrene via the in situ polymerization method. The photoluminescence properties of the incorporated pyrene chromophore were studied by using hybrids those were obtained by changing the ratio of inorganic moieties. As compared with organic polymers or a silica glass, the excimer emission of pyrene chromophore increased in the polymer hybrids. The excimer emission can be affected by changing the organic/inorganic ratio or the species of organic polymers. In the case of employing hydrophilic polymers, the excimer emission intensity of pyrene increased. Also, the excimer emission intensity of pyrene increased in the polymer hybrids having low organic polymer content. Furthermore, the sensitivity against oxygen of these excimer emissions in the polymer hybrids was found to be tuned by the organic/inorganic ratio in the polymer hybrids or the oxygen permeability of the organic polymers employed for hybridization.