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Synthesis and characterization of thiophene-based donor–acceptor type polyimide and polyazomethines for optical limiting applications

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Abstract

In this communication we describe the design and synthesis of four new conjugated polymers (P1–P4) based on 3,4-ditetradecyloxythiophene. The required diamine monomer was prepared by a unique catalyst-free reduction process using hydrazine hydrate. The structures of the intermediates and polymers were established by FTIR, 1H NMR spectroscopy. Molecular weights of polymers were determined by gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) method. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and linear optical properties were determined by UV–Visible absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopic techniques. Further, their nonlinear optical properties were evaluated by Z-scan technique using Nd:YAG laser. These polymers showed strong optical limiting behavior with two-photon absorption (2PA) coefficients of the order of 10−10 m/W, which are comparable to that of good optical limiting materials reported in the literature. Also, it has been observed that the optical nonlinearity enhanced with the increase in donor–acceptor strength of the polymer backbone.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Reji Philip, RRI, Bangalore for providing Z-scan instrumental facilities. The authors are also thankful to the NITK, Surathkal; NMR Research Centre, IISc Bangalore; and SICART-CVM, Gujarat, for providing analytical facilities.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, 575025, India

    K. A. Vishnumurthy, M. S. Sunitha & A. Vasudeva Adhikari

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  1. K. A. Vishnumurthy
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  2. M. S. Sunitha
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  3. A. Vasudeva Adhikari
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Correspondence to A. Vasudeva Adhikari.

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Vishnumurthy, K.A., Sunitha, M.S. & Adhikari, A.V. Synthesis and characterization of thiophene-based donor–acceptor type polyimide and polyazomethines for optical limiting applications. Polym. Bull. 70, 147–169 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-012-0789-8

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