Synthesis, characterization, and optoelectronic properties of a novel polyfluorene/poly(p-phenylenevinylene) copolymer

A novel conjugated polyfluorene/poly(p-phenylenevinylene) copolymer containing the pendant bis(4-alkoxyphenyl) groups in the C-9 position of every alternating fluorene unit has been synthesized and well structurally characterized. The photoluminescence spectrum of this polymer exhibits strong concentration and excitation wavelength dependence in solution. The excited triplet-state maximum of polymer occurs in the region of 460-540 nm with a lifetime of 65.8 μs. This copolymer displays a minor positive nonlinear absorption at the focus of the laser irradiation, suggesting possible reverse saturable absorption. The stable electroluminescent spectrum of the polymer light-emitting diode device based on this copolymer (device configuration, indium-tin oxide/Au/copolymer/LiF/Al) was obtained with a peak wavelength of 515 nm. The bright-green emission observed over the whole active area of the copolymer closely resembles the photoluminescence of the most concentrated solution (0.5 M) used. This suggests that chain stacking in the solid state is responsible for the observed green electroluminescence.