Static and dynamic photoluminescence (PL) quenching of polymer : quencher systems in solutions

Quenching of the PL from conjugated polymers in solution by charge transfer to electron accepters was studied by PL measurements while varying the que ncher concentration, the ion concentration in buffered aqueous solutions, a nd the temperature. For the aqueous solutions, the PL quenching was greatly enhanced by static quenching originating from the formation of a weakly bo und complex between the anionic conjugated polymer and cationic electron ac cepters. The estimated Coulomb binding energy was similar to 150 meV. In co ntrast, for MEH-PPV and PCBM in 1,2-dichlorobenzene, dynamic quenching was identified as the basic mechanism.