Control of polymer-electrode interactions: the effect of leaving group on the optical properties and device characteristics of EHPPV

poly[2-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (EHPPV) was prepared via c hloro, S-methyl xanthate and O-ethyl xanthate precursor polymers. The choic e of leaving group used was found to control the optical and device propert ies of the EHPPV with the variations arising from the differing chemical in teractions of the leaving groups with indium tin oxide (ITO). The leaving g roup-ITO interactions were found to dominate the properties of EHPPV when f ormed from the commonly used chloro precursor polymer and this problem coul d be solved by use of xanthate leaving groups which were found not to react with the contact.