A novel polysilane, poly[(p-butoxyphenyl)phenylsilane] (PBPPS) has been syn
thesized and employed as an emissive layer of an organic electroluminescenc
e (EL) device. PBPPS was spin-coated onto a uniaxially oriented poly(diethy
lsilane) (PDES) ultrathin film prepared by the friction-transfer method. We
observed polarized, near-ultraviolet (UV) EL with its dichroic ratio of 2
from the polysilane-based multilayered EL device. Polarization direction wa
s found to be identical with the drawing direction of the friction-transfer
process for the PDES film, indicating that PBPPS in the emissive layer was
aligned parallel to the uniaxial orientation of PDES. A depolarized, broad
visible band appeared in the EL spectrum, which was absent in photolumines
cence of PBPPS or PDES films. Origins of near-UV and visible EL components
are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.