High photoluminescence efficiency in substituted polythiophene aggregates

In this paper we discuss the optical (absorption and photoluminescence) and solvatochromic properties of a newly synthesized alternating copolymer based on poly(3-alkylthiophene) structure. In this copolymer an unsubstituted thiophene ring is linked to a 3-alkyl-substituted thiophene, the two repeating units being alternated in the copolymer chains. Moreover, a bulky group, THP, with high steric hindrance has been introduced in the side chain. This copolymer, designed to preserve the backbone planarity of polythiophenes and to prevent a close packing arrangement through the non-regioregular insertion of the bulky substituted monomer, shows high PL quantum yield in the solid state and in solution aggregates. The electroluminescence of this copolymer is reported for a simple single layer device. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.