Electrochemical synthesis, characterization and photophysics of a poly(fluorenylene vinylene) derivative

The electrosynthesis of a soluble poly(fluorenylene vinylene) derivative, namely poly(9,9-dioctyl-2,7-fluorenylene vinylene) (PDO27FV), its characterization, photophysical properties and electrochemistry are reported in this work. Photophysical studies indicate a strong dependence on the solvent employed, suggesting a highly polar excited state. The fluorescence quantum yield was estimated to be 0.52. Further, time-resolved photoluminescence exhibited two decays times, 0.68 and 1.31 ns, that are in agreement with a coupling deactivation process of the fluorenylene moiety, induced by the vinylene moiety. Electron affinity and ionization potential calculated from absorption and electrochemical data indicates that PDO27FV has potential to be applied as photoactive film in organic light emitting diodes and bulk heterojunction solar cells.