Preparation and characterization of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) Langmuir-Blodgett films formed via precursor method

Recent advances on π-conjugated conducting polymers for electroluminescence(EL) have shown a strong possibility for various display applications. In this paper, we will describe the preparation of ultra thin films of oil-soluble poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) precursor polymer by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and by conversion into PPV films via a thermal treatment. The characterization of these films was also carried out by FT-IR spectroscopy, UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), and Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM). FT-IR, and UV-VIS results indicated that multilayer films of PPV precursor polymer were formed well and the elimination of methoxy group in PPV precursor polymer was partially achieved by the thermal treatment. Red shift was observed in PL analysis after thermal treatment. An STM image of a PPV monolayer on graphite showing the polymer chains was observed.