Electrochemical Fluorescence Switching from Anthracene Polymer Films

Abstract

Electrochemical fluorescence switching of electroactive fluorescent anthracene polymer films was studied using an electro active quencher. The fluorescence of a methylene anthracene polymer (PMAn) was intact under redox reaction in the absence of an electroactive quencher. Interestingly the fluorescence of a methylene bridged anthracene polymer (PMAn) film could be modulated by adjusting the redox state of the PMAn and redox reaction of the quencher. The electrochemical fluorescence switching from the PMAn film with a quencher was reversible and the cyclability was longer than 1,000 cycles with an ON/OFF ratio of 3.86 under the applied potential step of +2 V for 4 second. A multi state fluorescent switch was fabricated with a double layered two electrode cell that was consisting of the PMAn layer doped with a quencher and a solid polymer electrolyte layer (SPE).

Keywords:

• Fluorescence switching
• iodide ion
• iodine
• methylene anthracne polymer
• redox reaction

Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the financial support of Seoul R&BD Program (10816), and the National Research Foundation (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MEST) through the Active Polymer Center for Pattern Integration (No. R11-2007-050-00000-0).