The photophysics of thin polymer films of poly-(meta-phenylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-para-phenylenevinylene)

We have investigated the effect of film preparation procedures on the photo luminescence efficiency of the luminescent co-polymer poly-(m-phenylene-co- 2,5- dioctoxy-p-phenylenevinylene) (PmPV). The photoluminescence efficiency of PmPV films improved by up to 50% when the solution was degassed by bubb ling argon gas through it prior to spin casting in an inert atmosphere and baking under vacuum. Photoinduced absorption and doping measurements show t hat this preparation method reduces polaron photogeneration, which reduces the photoluminescence (PL) yield through exciton quenching and excited stat e absorption. It is proposed that this sample preparation method increases interchain separation, reducing the formation of polarons and non-radiative quenching routes, thus resulting in increased PL efficiency.