The straightforward approach of tuning the photoluminescence and electrical properties of encapsulated PEDOT end-capped by pyrene

While poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) is known as an interesting material for optoelectronic applica-tions, it still lacks several characteristics and needs further improvements. Within this paper, after we succeeded in making it water-soluble through encapsulation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene units by cucurbit[7]uril (CB7), the resulting poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene/cucurbit[7]uril) polypseudorotax-ane (PEDOT center dot CB7 PS) and polyrotaxane (PEDOT center dot CB7 PR) were in-depth investigated regarding their electro-optical properties, as well as their aggregation behavior. Foremost, the DLS and TEM analyses clearly indicated that the polymers form stable dispersions in water. Surprisingly, the studied polymers exhibited fluorescence (FL) and phosphorescence (Ph) in acetonitrile (ACN), but switching to water their Ph was quenched and quantum efficiency (U) drastically lowered. The insertion of pyrene (Py) end -capping moiety within PEDOT center dot CB7 PR turned out to increase both the UPh and emission lifetimes (s). Despite both compounds being semiconductors, the Py end-capping increases the conductivity, probably due to homogenously packing through 7C -7C interactions and extended conjugation. Herein, we bring to attention new perspectives on the spectroscopic characteristics of these emissive supramolecular mate-rials with a wide range of applications in optoelectronics. (c) 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was made water-soluble through encapsulation of 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene units by cucurbit[7]uril (CB7). The resulting polymers, PEDOT center dot CB7 PS and PEDOT center dot CB7 PR, showed stable dispersions in water and exhibited fluorescence and phosphorescence in acetonitrile. The introduction of pyrene end-capping moiety increased the conductivity and prolonged the emission lifetimes.