Synthesis and characterization of a new blue-light-emitting polyimide

Abstract

5,5'-Bis(4-aminophenyl)-2,2'-bifuryl (PFDA) with a well-defined conjugation length was synthesized, and its soluble poly(amic acid) was prepared by polycondensation with pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The PMDA-PFDA polyimide films were obtained from the poly(amic acid) solution through a conventional spin-casting, baking, and thermal imidization process. The PFDA monomer exhibits intense blue photoluminescence with a maximum at 442 nm in a high quantum yield of 0.92, whereas its polyimide film also emits intense blue photoluminescence with double peak maxima at 419 and 436 nm. The polyimide is insoluble in common organic solvents and thermally stable up to 370 degrees C. Overall, the PMDA-PFDA polyimide can be considered to be a potential candidate material for fabricating optoelectronic devices that emit blue light.