Studies of optical, photophysical, and thermal properties of poly(paraphenylenevinylene) (PPV) polymers with symmetric alkoxy side‐chain lengths for potential application in electronic devices

Abstract

Optical, photophysical, and thermal properties of poly(paraphenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivatives of various symmetric alkoxyl substituents were studied with UV–vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Molar absorptivity coefficients of the symmetric monomers increased compared to that of hydroquinone and its derivatives. The symmetric polymers exhibited photoluminescence quantum yields in the range of 32%–39% and excited‐state lifetimes of 3.01–3.61 ns. The emission energy values for the calculated band gaps were in the range of 2.16–2.12 eV for the symmetric polymers. The photoluminescent characteristics of these compounds may show great potential in improving the emitting layers of electronic devices. The thermal behavior and heat changes of the symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers were monitored by TGA and DSC. Glass transition temperatures (Tg) for these polymers were observed as being in range of 67–108°C. The heat values of the symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers were found to be in range 220.41–599.98 J/g, and the entropy values of symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers were determined to be in range 0.567–1.754 J/ g °C.Highlights• Symmetric poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives were prepared.• UV–vis spectroscopy was used for optical absorption studies.• Photophysical properties were examined by photoluminescence spectroscopy.• TGA was used for the thermal behavior of symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers.• Heat changes of symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers were investigated by DSC.