Effect of alkoxy side chains on intra and interchain exciton coupling in PPE-PPV copolymers solution

Abstract The effects of alkoxy side chains on the optical and morphological properties of five poly ( p-phenylene-ethylene )- alt - poly ( p-phenylene-vinylene )s (PPE-PPVs) solutions are investigated. By steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy combined with Franck-Condon analyses, we show that the introduction of symmetrical side chains onto the PPE-PPV backbone increases the π–π stacking between the polymer chains leading to interchain interactions hence H-aggregate domains. Total dissymmetrical side chains lead to J-aggregate domains through intrachain interactions. On the other hand partial dissymmetrical side chain configurations lead to H and HJ-aggregate domains.