title: Highly polarized luminescence from β-phase-rich poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) nanofibers.
abstract: Novel poly(9,9-dioctlylfluorene) (PFO) nanofibers were fabricated by solution template wetting of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with a pore diameter of 25 nm. Individual nanofibers displayed a pronounced axially polarized luminescence with a typical emission dichroic ratio of 15 and low spread of the emissive species angular distribution. The strong optical characteristics were ascribed to intrachain reorientation of amorphous PFO to a more planar and elongated β-phase conformation induced by mechanical strain during polymer template pore infiltration. Absorption optical spectroscopy on nanofiber mats confirmed formation of 24% β-phase emissive segments, which dominated the nanofiber luminescence characteristics. X-ray diffraction measurements were used to confirm and quantify the extent of nanofiber internal molecular alignment.
authors.affiliation: Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork , Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iacopino
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lovera
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Riordan
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Redmond