Optically active vibrational modes in the photoluminescence line shape of BDMO-PPV films

In this work we simulate the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of BDMO-PPV thin films prepared by spin-coating technique on glass and on copper, as a function of temperature (12-300 K). Simulations were done using two theoretical models based on (i) the SSH theory where the line shape of the purely electronic transition is partly generated by localized states and partly by delocalized states and (ii) the semi-empirical model containing the coupling between localized molecular excitons and vibrational modes in Franck-Condon approach. Four active vibrational modes have been considered: C-C stretching coupled to a C-H bending of the phenyl ring at 1111.5 cm⁻¹, inter-rings C-C stretching at 1282.2 cm⁻¹, CC stretching coupled to a C-H bending of the vinyl group at 1309.3 cm⁻¹, C-C stretching of the phenyl ring at 1580.2 cm⁻¹. Additional vibrational mode of 403 cm⁻¹ associated with C-C-C out-of-plane bending allowed leastwise for this material to adjust well with the characteristic asymmetry of the purely electronic transition. Finally, application of theoretical models are strongly dependent on the well-resolved PL spectra, i.e., electronic transition peak presented a relatively thinner HWHM and an asymmetric line shape.