Composite poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-nafion thin films

Composite thin films of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and the polyelectrolyte N afion have been prepared by the polymerization of 1,1'-[(p-phenylene)bis(me thylene)bis [tetrahydrothiophenium] dichloride electrostatically bound to N afion. The composite films are strongly fluorescent. The absorption and pho toluminescence spectra of the films have been measured and are similar to t hose of poly(p-phenylenevinylene). X-ray microanalysis and weight gain expe riments performed on the films suggest that the dicationic monomer occupies less than 15% of the cation exchanging sites in the Nafion, leaving sites available for binding of additional small cations.