Photoluminescence in pyridine-based polymers: Role of aggregates

Abstract
We present a study of the morphology dependence of the photoluminescence (PL) properties of the pyridine-based polymers poly(p-pyridyl vinylene), poly(p-pyridine), and poly(p-pyridyl vinylene p-phenylene vinylene) (PPyVPV). The photoluminescence of solution samples is characterized by high quantum efficiency (>70% in PPyVPV), weak coupling to vibrational modes (Huang-Rhys parameter ∼0.5) and a single-exponential decay (radiative lifetime ∼1 ns). On the other hand, film samples display strongly redshifted, featureless emission with low quantum yield (1996 The American Physical Society.