Photoelectric properties of poly(arylene ether nitriles)–copper phthalocyanine conjugates complex via in situ polymerization

Poly(arylene ether nitriles)–Copper phthalocyanine conjugates complex (PEN–CuPc) was prepared via in situ polymerization from poly(arylene ether nitriles) containing pendant phthalonitriles (PEN–CN) and excessive 4-nitrophthalonitrile. The PEN–CN was obtained by post-amidation reaction of acid-contained poly(arylene ether nitriles) (PEN–COOH) and 4-(4-aminophenoxy)phthalonitrile. PEN–CuPc has good solubility in some polar aprotic solvents at room temperature. The results of DSC and TGA measurements indicated that PEN–CuPc has high glass transition temperature of 225 °C and excellent thermal stability with 10% weight loss at 446 °C. SEM image showed CuPc are well dispersed into PEN resins. The optical performance of PEN–CuPc was measured by ultraviolet–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in dimethylacetylamide solution. The results showed PEN–CuPc has optical absorption in the visible region and exhibits blue photoluminescence. Furthermore, compared with PEN–COOH, the dielectric constant of PEN–CuPc increased from 3.98 to 4.77 and the dielectric loss of PEN–CuPc decreased from 0.0180 to 0.0139 at 1 kHz.

Research highlights
► Poly(arylene ether nitriles)–CuPc complex was prepared via in situ synthesis.
► This novel complex showed excellent thermal properties and solubility.
► The complex has optical absorption in the visible region.
► The complex exhibits blue photoluminescence.
► The dielectric constant of complex was improved to 4.77 at 1 kHz.