Photoluminescence properties of new PPV derivatives

We investigate the emission properties of two copolymers by steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. The copolymers are derived from poly-phenylene-vinylene (PPV) to which a non-conjugated ether group was added. The difference between the two copolymers is the group attached on the phenyl rings. Their fluorescence spectra present bathochromic and hypsochromic shift with respect to pristine PPV, well explained by their chemical properties. Additionally, we observe an enhancement of their quantum yield compared to that of PPV. Photoluminescence decays are bi-exponential for the two copolymers and their lifetime are longer than that of PPV. Finally, differences in emission properties between the two copolymers put in evidence the importance of their conformational structures in the luminescence processes. - Research highlights: → An emission shift is observed as compared to the luminescence of standard PPV. → PL decay times different from those observed in standard PPV. → The determination of quantum yields in both derivatives.