Sensitized intrinsic phosphorescence from a poly(phenylene-vinylene) derivative

Intrinsic phosphorescence in a phenyl-substituted poly(phenylene-vinylene) (PhPPV) film sensitized by a phosphorescent dye dopant has been directly observed for the first time for PPV class conjugated polymers. Efficient triplet energy transfer from the platinum porphyrin dye molecules to the PhPPV polymer was found to occur as the triplet level of the dopant (1.91 eV) is above the triplet level of PhPPV, which was determined to be at 1.63 eV. Intrinsic phosphorescence emission has been observed at room temperature as well. A significant decrease in emission intensity of phosphorescence has been found, if the sample was measured in air indicating quenching of triplets by oxygen.