Synthesis and performance of coumarin containing polymeric fluorescent dyes

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to modify the photostability of organic fluorescent dyes and to develop and evaluate a route of their derived polymeric fluorescent dyes. Design/methodology/approach – A series of novel polymeric fluorescent dyes were prepared using 3-(2-benzimidazolyl)-7-(diethylamino)-coumarin (disperse yellow 8GFF, abbreviated as 8GFF) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as raw materials. First, an intermediate of carboxyl functioned 8GFF was prepared by condensation reaction of 8GFF and pyromellitic dianhydride; and then the polymeric fluorescent dyes were synthesized by reacting PEG with the condensate intermediate. Findings – FTIR, UV-vis, and PL showed that the polymeric fluorescent dyes had been successfully synthesised, and the photostability of organic fluorescent dyes was improved significantly. Research limitations/implications – In the present work, the polymeric fluorescent dyes had been successfully synthesized, and the photostability of organic fluorescent dyes was improved significantly. This methodology can be employed to prepare novel polymeric fluorescent materials and to improve the photostability of organic dyes for various applications. Practical implications – Polycondensable dyes offer a new area of material science which can be widely used in coloured polymer materials production. Originality/value – The method developed in the study reported in this paper provided a new strategy to develop new types of polycondensable dyes materials with fluorescent property.