The optimized synthetic procedures are given that lead to
stretched poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) films of high molecular alignment and chemical
homogeneity. Films of sulfonium precursor,
pristine PPV, and FeCl3-doped PPV are fully characterized
spectroscopically as well as by electron
microscopic and electron diffraction techniques. In particular,
the paracrystalline structure of PPV is
examined and the fluctuation values of the average cell edge vectors
are measured; the values Δ11(3) =
Δ22(3) > 0.27 Å and Δ33(3) <
0.12 Å were obtained. Furthermore, the molecular orientation in
films of
the precursor, the stretched pristine, and stretched,
FeCl3-doped phases is investigated. An
angular
distribution function about the stretching direction is measured and
tested against the pseudo-affine
(Kratky) deformation model.