N-cyclohexylphthalimide-substituted trifluoroacetylamino (CF3CONH-) group (3TfAPI), which forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond, was synthesized, and it exhibited a bright yellow fluorescence owing to the excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) in the solution and crystalline states. In addition, CF3CONH-substituted phthalic anhydride (3TfAPA) was synthesized, which was attached to the termini of a blue-fluorescent semi-aromatic polyimide (PI) chain. Owing to the efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurring from the main chain to the termini and the suppression of deprotonation (anion formation) at the 3TfAPA moiety by H2SO4 doping, the resulting PI films display bright white fluorescence. Moreover, the enhancement of the chain rigidity by substituting the diamine moiety results in an increase in the quantum yield of white fluorescence (Φ) by a factor of 1.7, due to the suppression of local molecular motion. This material design strategy is promising for preparing thermally stable white-light fluorescent PIs applicable to solar spectral convertors, displays, and ICT devices.
Keywords: ESIPT; FRET; polyimide; white-light.