Synthesis and luminescence properties of a poly(p-phenylenevinylene)/montmorillonite layered nanocomposite

A layered nanocomposite of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) with montmorillonite clay is prepared at ambient temperature by incorporation of poly(p-xylylenedimethylsulfonium) (PXDMS) into the montmorillonite galleries, followed by the base-mediated elimination of dimethylsulfide. Powder X-ray diffraction on the intermediate and final product show gallery expansions of 5.5 and 4.6 إ, respectively, indicating the nanoscale ordering of polymer and montmorillonite layers. Thermogravimetric analyses of the products indicates the loss of approximately 75% of the sulfonium groups by reaction with base. Luminescence measurements show a shift in emission peak intensities indicating the conversion of PXDMS to PPV within the montmorillonite galleries.