Advanced conjugated oligomers and polymers with switchable optical properties, supramolecular characteristics, and sensitivity to biomolecules

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The applicant¿s previous research has shown that it is possible to use reversible chemical reactions of fluorescent dyes to quantify alcohols, biogenic amines, thiols, and saccharides. Among the chemically-reactive dyes under investigation were stilbene derivatives which are models for conjugated polymers ¿ materials, that are highly relevant for the preparation of organic light emitting diodes, transistors, photodiodes, solar cells, and (bio)chemical sensors. The first focus of this project is on the synthesis of advanced conjugated polymers with absorbance and fluorescence at around 400 ¿ 700 nm. They possess chemically-reactive groups attached to the polymer which are not only beneficial in enhancing photochemical stability but furthermore allow to switch the optical properties of the materials. This is of relevance for tailoring and fine-tuning the performance of organic light emitting diodes. The second focus is on the preparation of oligomers with multiple reactive groups that are capable of forming covalent supramolecular complexes. The physical properties of these self-organising three-dimensional structures will be affected by light stimulation or changing temperatures. The third focus is to use the conjugated materials for the preparation of functional light emitting diodes, as nanoparticles in cells, or as sensor layers on optical fibres and miniaturised devices. Chemically-reactive conjugated oligomers and polymers will be used to detect biomolecules because conjugated structures are extraordinarily sensitive to very minor perturbations in their energy migration which results in amplified sensitivity towards analyte molecules.