We present the steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectr
a of poly(p-phenylenevinylene)derivatives, which exhibit a marked dependenc
e on the side chains attached to the main chain. The PL spectra of poly(2-c
arbazolyl-p-phenylenevinylene) (pCzPV) and poly[2-[9-(10-phenyl)anthryl]-1,
4-phenylenevinylene] (PPAPV) exhibit a vibronic structure with relatively s
hort PL lifetimes. On the other hand, poly[[[2-[9-(10-phenyl)anthryl]phenox
y]hexoxy]-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (PAHPV) shows the broad and structureless
emission with a long tail. In addition, the PL decay time of PAHPV is about
3 times longer than that of PCzPV or PPAPV. Poly[[2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-te
rt-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole]-p-enylenevinylene] also exhibits the long
PL decay time as well as the structureless and redshifted emission. The di
fference in the photophysical properties of these polymers is discussed in
terms of the electronic nature of the excited states influenced by the pend
ent groups.