A water-soluble π-conjugated polymer with up to 100 mg.mL-1 solubility

A cationic water-soluble polyfluorene (P2) containing a high density of tetraalkylammonium side chains in polymer backbone was synthesized and characterized. The polymer shows excellent water solubility up to 100 mg center dot mL(-1) as well as high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield of 44% in water. The relatively high cationic density and appropriate side chain length of the polymer are the key factors to achieve such high water solubility. The reduction potential of P2 is decreased as compared with its neutral polymer, reflecting the enhanced electron injection abilities. The standard NPB/Alq(3) device using such a polymer as the electron injection layer shows nearly three-fold enhancement in the electroluminescence (EL) efficiency.