Amplification of fluorescence quenching of a polythiophene is optically triggered by converting pendant dithienylethene (DTE) photoswitches to their ring‐ closed isomers using UV light. The effect can be reversed with visible light, which regenerates the original DTE isomer. Amplification attributed to the high mobility of electronic excited states in conjugated polymers, which facilitates energy transfer to a ring‐closed DTE.
The modification of an azide-functionalized regioregular polythiophene with TEMPO groups is reported. The TEMPO functionalized polymer is characterized by ESR, ATR-IR, absorption and emission spectroscopies and electrochemical methods. Partial quenching of the polymer emission by the TEMPO groups is observed. The polymer may be electrodeposited onto ITO or carbon electrodes to give thin films. Cyclic voltammetry gives specific charge capacity values of 2.3 mA h g À1 for the TEMPO functionalized polymers, and specific capacitances of 0.8 F g À1 determined by galvanostatic charge/ discharge experiments. The reduced charge capacity relative to unfunctionalized polythiophene is attributed to TEMPO induced cleavage and oxidation of the conjugated backbone.
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