Synthesis, electroluminescence, and photovoltaic cells of new vinylene‐copolymers with 4‐(anthracene‐10‐yl)‐2,6‐diphenylpyridine segments

Three new soluble vinylene‐copolymers F , C, and P that contain 4‐(anthracene‐10‐yl)‐2,6‐diphenylpyridine as common segment and fluorene, carbazole, or phenylene, respectively, as alternating segment were prepared by Heck coupling. The glass transition temperature was high for F and C (110 and 117°C), whereas was lower than 25°C for P . The polymers were stable up to ∼ 300°C. They emitted blue–green light with maximum located at wavelength of 456–550 nm, which was of the order F < C < P . The photoluminescence quantum efficiency in THF solution was ∼ 30% for F and P and only 5% for C . All three copolymers were used as active layers for polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) and organic photovoltaic cells. The double PLEDs with configuration of indium‐tin oxide (ITO)/poly(ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) : poly(styrenesulfonate)(PSS)/Copolymer F , C , or P /TPBI(1,3,5‐tris(2‐ N ‐phenylbenzimidazolyl)benzene)/Ca/Al were fabricated. Copolymer P emitted green light with maximum brightness of 28 cd/m 2 and a current yield of 0.85 cd/A. Organic photovoltaics with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT : PSS/Copolymer and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester blend (1 : 1) /Ca/Al were also fabricated. Copolymer P showed the highest power conversion efficiency of 0.034%. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010