Electrosynthesis, characterization and optical sensing application of amino acid functionalized polyfluorene

An amino acid side chain functionalized polyfluorene derivative poly[ N -(9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-glycine] (P9FG) was facilely electrosynthesized and characterized, and the structure, properties and optical sensing application of the obtained polymer were described and discussed. The electropolymerization occurred at C 2 and C 7 positions of fluorene units, and amino acid side chain groups were not cleaved from polyfluorene backbone in mixed electrolytes of boron trifluoride diethyl etherate and dichloromethane. Thermal analysis demonstrated good thermal stability of P9FG. Fluorescent spectra indicated that P9FG was a good blue light emitting material that could be employed as optical sensors. The soluble P9FG as a turn-off fluorescent sensor could realize the detection of Fe 3+ , Cu 2+ and Cr 2 O 7 2- , respectively. In addition, P9FG as a turn-off ultraviolet sensor could realize the detection of Cu 2+ while as turn-on ultraviolet sensors could also realize the determination of Fe 3+ and Cr 2 O 7 2- , respectively. All results indicate that P9FG is a promising candidate for optical sensing.