Influence of the structural factors on the photoluminescence properties of polyaniline derivatives

Introduction of a substituent into the aromatic ring of polyaniline (PANI) is one of the most popular methods of polymer modification. In this connection, the photoluminescent properties of a wide range of PANI derivatives have been investigated in the present work: ortho -alkenyl substituted PANI derivatives, with different dopants, copolymers of aniline and its substituted analog. The presented results demonstrate that the modification of PANI by introducing a substituent into the aromatic ring contributes not only to the improvement of solubility but also to the increase of photoluminescence intensity. Comparative analysis of photoluminescence spectra of the investigated series of polymers showed that the presence of a bulk substituent in the aromatic ring of the polymer chain leads to an increase in the luminescence intensity due to steric hindrance.