Synthesis and characterization of new trinitrofluorene–fullerene dyads as photosensitizers in photorefractive polymer materials. Redox behavior and charge-transfer properties

Novel trinitrofluorene–C60 dyads bearing a flexible polyether chain have been synthesized and characterized. UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetric results indicate that there is no interaction in their ground states. NMR and electrochemical studies of dyads and in solution indicate the existence of a charge-transfer complex between the trinitrofluorene moieties and N-ethylcarbazol. Preliminary results of the photorefractive performance of these compounds as sensitizers in polymer composites based on poly(N-vinylcarbazole) are similar to that of C60, but with shorter response times and slightly lower gain coefficients.