Fluorescence quenching of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexoxy)-p-henylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) in solutions

Fluorescence quenching processes of poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'ethyl-hexoxy)-p-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) in solution by electron acceptors, O-2 and acid, have been studied. Static quenching of the fluorescence from MEH-PPV by an electron acceptor (DDQ or TCNE) occurs due to electron transfer from MEH-PPV to the electron acceptor and this electron transfer quenching can be promoted by chloroform. Photooxidation takes place in the MEH-PPV solution and singlet oxygen is an intermediate in the photooxidation, according to the results of ESR spectroscopy. Acid also plays an important role in the fluorescence quenching process of MEH-PPV, by the protonation of the alkoxy groups in the molecular chain.