PHASE-SEPARATION OF CONJUGATED POLYMERS - TOOLS FOR NEW FUNCTIONS IN POLYMER LEDS

Within the single family of substituted poly(thiophenes) it is possibl e to realize such diverse device designs as voltage controlled colours from polymer LEDs, sub-micron size LEDs, and white light emitters. Ma ny of these features become possible by the use of polymer blends in w hich one or more poly(thiophenes) are mixed with a matrix polymer (PMM A). The phase structure in these blends can be controlled by stoichiom etry and mode of formation. That phase structure can be used to preven t exciton transfer, and to define new colours in polymer LEDs. It also allows us to make anisotropic conductors suitable for contacting opti cal devices.