Charge transport in luminescent polymers studied by in situ fluorescence spectroscopy

Modulation of the photoluminescence of poly-[2,7-(fluorene)-1,4-(phenylene)] can be attained by reversible electrochemical modification of the conjugated chain (p- or n-doping). Controlled injection of charge quenches the fluorescent emission of the conjugated polymer. The injection of holes completely eliminates the emission, while the electrons only quench up to one-third of the initial fluorescence of the polymer. Analogous quenching effects have been previously reported for solid-state organoelectronic devices. Electrochemical Stern-Volmer plots permit the estimation of the relative mobility of charge carriers in the polymer layer. The mobility of holes is 1 order of magnitude higher that the mobility of electrons, as determined by this method.