Synthesis and characterization of new trinitrofluorene-fullerene dyads as photosensitizers in photorefractive polymer materials.: Redox behavior and charge-transfer properties

Novel trinitrofluorene-C-60 dyads bearing a flexible polyether chain have been synthesized and characterized. UV-vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric results indicate that there is no interaction in their ground states. NMR and electrochemical studies of dyads 2 and 3 in solution indicate the existence of a charge-transfer complex between the trinitrofluorene moieties and N-ethylcarbazol. Preliminary results of the photorefractive performance of these compounds as sensitizers in polymer composites based on poly(N-vinylcarbazole) are similar to that of C-60, but with shorter response times and slightly lower gain coefficients. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.