Solvent and molecular weight effects on fluorescence emission of MEH-PPV

Here we systematically studied the excitation and the fluorescence steady-state spectroscopy of poly(2-methoxy-5(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) with three molecular weights, Mn= 51 kg mol-1, Mn= 86 kg mol-1 and Mn= 125 kg mol-1, in two equally good solvents and several concentrations, from dilute solutions to solid-state films produced by casting. The appropriateness of the two solvents was established by comparing their solubility parameters and the solubility parameter of the MEH-PPV estimated using the Small, the Van Krevelen and the Hoy models. Thus, chloroform and toluene were chosen. Fluorescence spectra were recorded for solutions in several concentrations (10-8 mol L-1 to 10-4 mol L-1) and films produced by casting, showing that chloroform and toluene solvate the polymer chain differently. Diluted solutions (10-8 mol L-1) in chloroform exhibit broader fluorescence spectra. A red-shift of the fluorescence spectra was observed for concentrations higher than 10-6 mol L-1 that can be explained using Kasha's rule for the sandwich anti-parallel orientation of the transition moments of the two chromophores. The conformations observed in solutions are partially retained in the solid films in addition to the broader red-shift spectra attributed to aggregated forms of the macromolecular segments. Annealing of the polymer films at the glass transition temperature eliminates the more stressed conformations, erases the memory and leads to sharper fluorescence spectra

Solvent and molecular weight effects on fluorescence emission of MEH-PPV

Here we systematically studied the excitation and the fluorescence steady-state spectroscopy of poly(2-methoxy-5(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV) with three molecular weights, Mn= 51 kg mol-1, Mn= 86 kg mol-1 and Mn= 125 kg mol-1, in two equally good solvents and several concentrations, from dilute solutions to solid-state films produced by casting. The appropriateness of the two solvents was established by comparing their solubility parameters and the solubility parameter of the MEH-PPV estimated using the Small, the Van Krevelen and the Hoy models. Thus, chloroform and toluene were chosen. Fluorescence spectra were recorded for solutions in several concentrations (10-8 mol L-1 to 10-4 mol L-1) and films produced by casting, showing that chloroform and toluene solvate the polymer chain differently. Diluted solutions (10-8 mol L-1) in chloroform exhibit broader fluorescence spectra. A red-shift of the fluorescence spectra was observed for concentrations higher than 10-6 mol L-1 that can be explained using Kasha's rule for the sandwich anti-parallel orientation of the transition moments of the two chromophores. The conformations observed in solutions are partially retained in the solid films in addition to the broader red-shift spectra attributed to aggregated forms of the macromolecular segments. Annealing of the polymer films at the glass transition temperature eliminates the more stressed conformations, erases the memory and leads to sharper fluorescence spectra.Nesse trabalho se estudou sistematicamente o efeito de dois bons solventes sobre os espectros de excitação e de fluorescência em condições fotoestacionárias do MEH-PPV com três massas molares diferentes, Mn= 51 kg mol-1, Mn= 86 kg mol-1 and Mn= 125 kg mol-1, em soluções com várias concentrações, desde muito diluídas, e em estado sólido, na forma de filmes produzidos a partir da evaporação de solventes. Dois bons solventes (clorofórmio e tolueno) foram escolhidos a partir da comparação dos seus parâmetros de solubilidade com o do MEH-PPV estimado a partir dos modelos de Small, de van Krevelen e de Hoy. Os espectros de fluorescência foram obtidos para soluções em várias concentrações (10-8 mol L-1 10-4 mol L-1) e em filmes produzidos por espalhamento de soluções, mostrando diferenças que decorrem da diferente forma de solvatação das cadeias pelos diferentes solventes. Um deslocamento espectral para o vermelho foi observado em concentrações mais altas 10-6 mol L-1 e pode ser explicado pela regra de Kasha para uma orientação anti-paralela dos momentos de transição dos dois cromóforos. As conformações em solução são parcialmente mantidas no estado sólido alem do fato de que os espectros se deslocam para o vermelho e são atribuídos à formação de agregados. Recozimento dos filmes em temperaturas acima da transição vítrea elimina as conformações mais tensionadas das cadeias, apaga o efeito de memória e leva a espectros de fluorescência mais finos.7486Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

A Multitechnique Study of Structure and Dynamics of Polyfluorene Cast Films and the Influence on Their Photoluminescence

This article describes the microstructure and dynamics in the solid state of polyfluorene-based polymers, poly(9,)-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl) (PFO), a semicrystalline polymer, and poly [(9,9-dioctyl- 2,7-divinylene-fluorenylene)-alt-co-{2-methoxy-5-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)- 1,4-phenylene vinylene}, a copolymer with mesomorphic phase properties. These Structures were determined by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements, Assuming a packing model for the copolymer structure, where the planes of the phenyl rings are stacked and separated by an average distance of similar to 4.5 angstrom and laterally spaced by about similar to 16 angstrom, we followed the evolution of these distances as a function of temperature using WAXS and associated the changes observed to the polymer relaxation processes identified by dynamical mechanical thermal analysis. Specific molecular motions were studied by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. The onset of the side-chain motion at about 213 K (beta-relaxation) produced a small increase in the lateral spacing and in the stacking distance of the phenyl rings in them aggregated Structures, Besides, at about 383 K (alpha-relaxation) there occurs a significant increase in the amplitude of the torsion motion in the backbone, producing a greater increase in the stacking distance of the phenyl rings. Similar results were observed in the semicrystalline phase of PFO, but in this case the presence of the crystalline structure affects considerably the overall dynamics, which tends to be more hindered. Put together, Our data explain many features of the temperature dependence of the photoluminescence of these two polymers.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESPCNPqConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)MCT/INEOMinistério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Brasil (MCTI)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CAPESBrazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS)[D02ASAXS2]Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS)Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS)Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS)[D11A-SASX5379

Temperature dependence of molecular dynamics and supramolecular aggregation in MEH-PPV films: A solid-state NMR, X-ray and fluorescence spectroscopy study

This article presents an investigation of the temperature induced modification in the microstructure and dynamics of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2`-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) cast films using Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS), solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (PL). MEH-PPV chain motions were characterized as a function of temperature by NMR. The results indicated that the solvent used to cast the films influences the activation energy of the side-chain motions. This was concluded from the comparison of the activation energy of the toluene cast film, E(a) = (54 +/- 8) kJ/mol, and chloroform cast film, E(a) = (69 +/- 5) kJ/mol, and could be attributed to the higher side-chain packing provided by chloroform, that preferentially solvates the side chain in contrast to toluene that solvates mainly the backbone. Concerning the backbone mobility, it was observed that the torsional motions in the MEH-PPV have average amplitude of similar to 10 degrees at 300 K, which was found to be independent of the solvent used to cast the films. In order to correlate the molecular dynamics processes with the changes in the microstructure of the polymer, in situ WAXS experiments as a function of temperature were performed and revealed that the interchain spacing in the MEH-PPV molecular aggregates increases as a function of temperature, particularly at temperatures where molecular relaxations occur. It was also observed that the WAXS peak associated with the bilayer spacing becomes narrower and its intensity increases whereas the peak associated with the inter-backbone planes reduces its intensity for higher temperatures. This last result Could be interpreted as a decrease in the number of aggregates and the reduction of the interchain species during the MEH-PPV relaxation processes. These WAXS results were correlated with PL spectra modifications observed upon temperature treatments. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.FAPESPFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPqCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)CAPESMinistério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação do Brasil (MCTI)MCT/PADCT/IMMPFundo de Apoio ao Ensino, à Pesquisa e Extensão - FAEPEX-UNICAMPFAEPEX/Unicam