Abstract: | To simplify the fabrication of multilayer light‐emitting diodes, we prepared a p‐phenylenevinylene‐based polymer capped with crosslinkable styrene through a Wittig reaction. Insoluble poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivative (PPVD) films were prepared by a thermal treatment. The photoluminescence and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorbance of crosslinked films and noncrosslinked films were studied. We also studied the solvent resistance of crosslinked PPV films with UV–vis absorption spectra and atomic force microscopy. Double‐layer devices using crosslinked PPVD as an emitting layer, 2‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (PBD) in poly(methyl methacrylate) as an electron‐transporting layer, and calcium as a cathode were fabricated. A maximum luminance efficiency of 0.70 cd/A and a maximum brightness of 740 cd/m2 at 16 V were demonstrated. A 12‐fold improvement in the luminance efficiency with respect to that of single‐layer devices was realized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2124–2129, 2004 |