Through-space charge transfer delayed fluorescence in tris(triazolo)triazine donor–acceptor copolymers

Abstract

Donor–acceptor materials containing tris(triazolo)triazine (TTT) acceptors have recently gained attention as green to deep-blue fluorophores exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF). Concurrently, polymers exhibiting through-space charge transfer (TSCT) between donor and acceptor monomers have been reported as high-performance TADF materials, yet few TSCT polymers have been reported to date. Here we describe the synthesis of copolymers comprised of TTT acceptor and 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine donor monomers by ring-opening polymerization. These non-conjugated polymers have molecular weights up to 68.0 kDa and exhibit blue-green TSCT TADF in solution and the solid state. The photophysical properties of these materials are described herein, and density functional theory with noncovalent interaction analysis is used to explain the TSCT behaviour of the donor–acceptor pairs.