Singlet-triplet and triplet-triplet interactions in conjugated polymer single molecules

Single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopy has been used to investigate the photodynamics of isolated single multichromophoric polymer chains of the conjugated polymers MEH-PPV and F8BT on the microsecond to millisecond time scale. The experimental results (and associated kinetic modeling) demonstrate that (i) triplet exciton pairs undergo efficient triplet-triplet annihilation on the <30 micros time scale, (ii) triplet-triplet annihilation is the dominant mechanism for triplet decay at incident excitation powers > or =50 W/cm(2), and (iii) singlet excitons are quenched by triplet excitons with an efficiency on the order of (1)/(2). The high efficiency of this latter process ensures that single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy can be effectively used to indirectly monitor triplet exciton population dynamics in conjugated polymers. Finally, correlation spectroscopy of MEH-PPV molecules in a multilayer device environment reveals that triplet excitons are efficiently quenched by hole polarons.     

A method for determining the absorption ellipsoid of single conjugated polymer molecules and single luminescent nanoparticles

We propose a simple method for the measurement of the absorption ellipsoid of luminescent nanoparticles. The method is based on a combination of far-field and near-field polarized excitation in a wide-field fluorescence microscope and provides the orientation and axes ratio r of a rotationally symmetric ellipsoid. Potential applications of the method including the study of conjugated polymer conformations are discussed.     

Photoluminescence spectra of a conjugated polymer: from films and solutions to single molecules

The purpose of this work is to address the issue of applicability of single-molecule spectroscopy (SMS) results for conjugated polymers to "bulk" samples, e.g. conjugated polymer films. Also, some apparent inconsistencies in the literature on SMS regarding the photoluminescence spectral position of conjugated polymers are discussed. We present a series of photoluminescence spectra of thin films of the conjugated polymer poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene-vinylene) (MEH-PPV) with a wide range of varying thickness. The thickness was varied from approximately 20 nm to the value corresponding to well-separated single molecules (SMS sample). The thickness variation resulted in a strong ( approximately 2000 cm(-1)) blue-shift and broadening of the spectrum. The result was reproduced on isolated molecules embedded into a PMMA matrix. This effect cannot be explained by a decrease in energy transfer "freedom" alone. We performed a comprehensive comparison of presented and elsewhere published spectra of MEH-PPV polymer and oligomers in different samples: films, solutions, isolated-molecule coatings and standard SMS samples. The comparison allows that the main reason behind the blue shift is conformational disorder, which is largely dependent on the sample. We also discuss some experimental aspects of SMS, such as representativeness of detected molecules, spectral sensitivity of a setup and temperature. Together with differences in sample preparation method, these issues can explain the existing inconsistencies in the literature.     

Molecular weight dependence of emission intensity and emitting sites distribution within single conjugated polymer molecules

We investigated exciton migration, trapping and emission processes occurring within a single conjugated polymer molecule by means of superresolution fluorescence localization microscopy. This methodology allowed us to locate the spatial distribution of emitting sites within single chains with nanometre precision. The study was done on individual poly[2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethyl-hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) molecules with average molecular weights ranging from 215,000 to 1,440,000 and with narrow weight distributions. We found that the mean emission intensity increases proportionally to the polymer molecular weight. The localization experiments suggest that the emitting sites are distributed nearly uniformly within a single chain and that the sites are on average 10 nm apart, irrespective of the molecular weight of the polymer. Furthermore, spatial contours formed by all the combined emitting sites within one chain show elongated shapes, in agreement with a rod-like structure of MEH-PPV in a collapsed state.     

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of single conjugated polymer nanoparticles

We demonstrate a novel and powerful method to study electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of single nanoparticles (NPs) (r = 25 +/- 15 nm) of a conjugated polymer, F8BT, on an ITO electrode in the presence of a co-reactant, such as tri-n-propylamine (TPrAH) in acetonitrile solution. The results reveal that the maximum formation rate of ECL of individual NPs is achieved after a long "build-up" time (10-40 s after pulse application). The high number of detected ECL photons from individual NPs (1500 photons during 100 s) highlights the potential of this technique as a very sensitive analytical method. Additionally, TPrAH acts as a very efficient protecting agent against irreversible electrochemical processes occurring in F8BT, as found in photoluminescence studies. This protection mechanism probably involves the neutralization of holes at the particle surface via electron transfer by both TPrAH and TPrA radical (TPrA*).     

Efficient intramolecular energy transfer in single endcapped conjugated polymer molecules in the absence of appreciable spectral overlap

Intramolecular energy transfer is investigated in an endcapped conjugated polymer on the single molecule level at low temperature. While light harvesting in one dimension is on average inefficient in the ensemble, the efficiency scatters widely on the single molecule level, with some molecules exhibiting near-unity transfer probability from the polymer backbone donor to the acceptor endcap. This transfer occurs in the absence of spectral overlap between donor and acceptor, as the electronic and vibronic transitions narrow substantially at low temperatures once inhomogeneous disorder broadening is overcome. The results illustrate how far-field absorption and emission characteristics of molecular transitions are insufficient to describe resonant energy transfer processes following F?rster theory in multichromophoric aggregates. Rather, exciton trapping due to efficient multiphonon emission has to be invoked with a possible contribution of strong polaronic coupling.     

Current through single conjugated molecules: calculations versus measurements

We use density functional theory based nonequilibrium Green's function to calculate the current through the different rodlike molecules at the finite temperatures self-consistently, which was compared to the experimental measurements presented by Reichert et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 176804 (2002)] and by Mayor et al. [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42, 5834 (2003)], respectively. Our results agree with the measurements very well, especially for the bias around +/-1.0 V. The investigation of the topological effect for the symmetrical molecule reveals the fact that the para position compound provides a considerably larger conductance than the meta one.     

Ordering rigid rod conjugated polymer molecules for high performance photoswitchers

Molecules of a rigid rod conjugated polymer, a derivative of poly(para-phenylene ethynylene)s with thioacetyl end groups (TA-PPE), were well aligned by drop-casting the polymer solution onto the friction-transferred poly(tetrafluoroethylene) substrates. TA-PPE molecules were found to be exactly oriented with their conjugated backbones along the PTFE sliding direction. Photoresponse characteristics based on the uniaxially ordered film were significantly improved compared to those of devices with the disordered film. For example, the switch on/off ratio of the photoswitchers with aligned molecules was as high as 330-400, while that of devices without alignment was only 8-12. It was due to the efficient carrier transport along the highly aligned polymer films, in which the molecules of TA-PPE oriented along the carrier transport direction of the devices.     

Distribution of single molecules in polymer thin films

Distribution of fluorescent dye molecules in polymer thin (100 nm) films was investigated using far-field single-molecule video microscopy, by varying concentrations of dye molecules mixed in the polymer. Histograms of fluorescence photocounts of individual fluorescent spots showed wide distribution, varying in the number of fluorescent spots composed of one, two, three or group of molecules. The number of the molecules present in the fluorescent spots was also ascertained by fluorescence photobleaching experiments. Photocounts associated with maxima of the histograms were found to be independent of the concentrations; however, the number of occurrences associated with more than one molecule decreased with decreasing concentration. By reducing concentration as well as by mixing dye molecules into a polymer solution, fluorescent spots grouping more than one molecule were separated considerably into fluorescent spots including a single-molecule.     

Photochromism of diarylethene single molecules in polymer matrices

Robust fluorescent photoswitching molecules, having perylene bisimide as the fluorescent unit and diarylethene as the switching unit, were prepared, and their photochromic reactions were measured at the single-molecule level in various polymer matrices. The histograms of the fluorescent on and off times were found to deviate from normal exponential distribution and showed a peak when the molecules are embedded in rigid polymer matrices, such as Zeonex or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). In soft polymer matrices, such as poly(n-buthyl methacrylate) (PnBMA), exponential distribution was observed for the on and off times. The abnormal distribution suggests that the quantum yields of the photoreactions are not constant and the molecules undergo the reactions after absorbing a certain number of photons. A multilocal minima model was proposed to explain the environmental effect.     

Transient esr observation of triplet-soliton pairs in a conjugated polymer single crystal

We have observed directly by pulsed ESR the formation and decay of a triplet state in a polydiacetylene single crystal after photoexcitation at 337 nm. The unusual spin polarization properties of the observed triplet suggest the formation of a tripletsoliton pair.     

Direct measurement of structural diversity in single molecules of a chiral helical π‐conjugated polymer

Using a noncontact atomic force microscope, we found that single molecules in a chiral helical π‐conjugated polymer could form a unique periodic structure having a pitch of about 20 nm on the surface of a mica substrate. The diversity of the periodic structures is also discussed. Some basic insights into the characteristics of single molecules (or their individual characteristics) in π‐conjugated polymers are revealed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3930–3935, 2004     

Hofmeister effect on the interfacial dynamics of single polymer molecules

The Hofmeister effect on interfacial dynamics has been discovered for single charged polymer molecules (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) adsorbed on a hydrophobic surface from an aqueous solution. The presence of ions in the aqueous solution affects the surface diffusivity, and its amplitudes and the surface friction follow the Hofmeister series-the kosmotropic ions slowed down the surface diffusivity and the chaotropic ions speeded it up. The amplitude of the surface friction exhibits a good correlation with the surface tension increment, indicating the interfacial feature of the Hofmeister effect.     

Reversible modulation of photoluminescence from conjugated polymer nanotubes by incorporation of photochromic spirooxazine molecules

A novel photo-switching system based on fluorescent polymer nanotubes incorporating spirooxazine molecules has been designed. Reversible photoluminescence modulation of up to 60% has been shown in individual nanotubes subjected to repeated photo-conversion cycles.     

AM1 calculations of rotation around essential single bonds and preferred conformations in conjugated molecules

Equilibrium twist angles, rotational barriers around essential single bonds, and preferred conformations for over 60 conjugated organic molecules were calculated using the semiempirical AM1 (Austin model 1) method. Comparison with ab initio and experimental data shows that AM1 can be applied quite successfully to conformational problems of this type. Relatively large errors are, however, found for compounds in which lone pair–hydrogen and especially lone pair–lone pair interactions are decisive for their conformational behavior. AM1-calculated rotational barriers in conjugated molecules, however, are found to be much too low. Moreover, AM1 does not seem to even correctly reproduce the trend of rotational barriers within a series of structurally related compounds. E/Z energy differences obtained by AM1 are also frequently considerably too low. In contrast to rotational barriers, their trends and thus conformational preferences, however, are quite satisfactorily calculated by this method. Ionization potentials obtained by AM1 are too high by about 0.5 eV. However, trends are quite well predicted.     

New approach to the measurement of polymer photooxidation

In an attempt to eradicate many of the problems associated with outdoor and accelerated testing of polymeric formulations, an apparatus was constructed for the sensitive measurement of oxygen uptake into a polymer during its incipient stages of photooxidation. The photooxidation curves of certain HDPE and LDPE formulations demonstrate a first order asymptotic approach to a limiting value which corresponds to the initial number of reactive centers that are available in the material for oxygen attack. An equation for oxygen uptake as a function of time is derived which incorporates the asymptotic value together with a constant whose value reflects the rate at which the asymptote is approached. These parameters are used to calculate the value of the initial quantum yield for oxygen uptake, a quantity which is indicative of the relative photostability of a given formulation. The kinetics parameters obtained from analyses of certain photooxidative curves confirm that the initial rate of photooxidation is proportional to the concentration of polymer hydroperoxide species which are present in the material as a result of oxidation during processing. The removal of these by thermal treatment of the material in an inert atmosphere results in the appearance of an induction period in the photooxidative profile. The experimental results suggest that this method of determining and interpreting photooxidative curves has certain potential for assessing the relative photostabilities of polymeric formulations.     

Controlling ion motion in polymer light-emitting diodes containing conjugated polyelectrolyte electron injection layers

The properties and function of an anionic conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE)-containing ion-conducting polyethylene oxide pendant (PF(PEO)CO(2)Na) as electron injection layers (EILs) in polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) are investigated. A primary goal was to design a CPE structure that would enable acceleration of the device temporal response through facilitation of ion motion. Pristine PLEDs containing PF(PEO)CO(2)Na exhibit luminance response times on the order of tenths of seconds. This delay is attributed to the formation of ordered structures within the CPE film, as observed by atomic force microscopy. Complementary evidence is provided by electron transport measurements. The ordered structures are believed to slow ion migration within the CPE EIL and hence result in a longer temporal response time. It is possible to accelerate the response by a combination of thermal and voltage treatments that "lock" ions within the interfaces adjacent to PF(PEO)CO(2)Na. PLED devices with luminance response times of microseconds, a 10(5) fold enhancement, can therefore be achieved. Faster luminance response time opens up the application of PLEDs with CPE layers in display technologies.     

Magnetic properties of conjugated molecules

An LCAO SCF perturbation theory is used to discuss the diamagnetic susceptibility and shielding constant contributions associated with ring currents in aromatic molecules. The proton shielding constants are calculated directly from the current density expression for benzene, naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene.     

Acceptor-acceptor-type conjugated polymer semiconductors

The rapid development of electronic devices such as organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) and solar cells makes the research and development of electronic tr...     

Charge transfer in systems of conjugated bonds in cyanobiphenyl molecules: Quantum-chemical calculations of the structure and vibrational spectra

Quantum-chemical calculations of the IR absorption spectra and geometric and electronic structure of cyanobiphenyl molecules

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(I) were performed for various angles between benzene ring planes by the B3LYP/6-31+G** method. It was shown that the stablest conformation of I (X=OCH₃, OC₃H₇) should be the twist conformation with α= 37°, which was in agreement with the gas-phase experimental data. Rotation of benzene rings with respect to each other changed the relative orientation of the interacting π orbitals of the bridge ring carbon atoms and caused charge redistribution over molecule atoms, in particular, over terminal X and CN group atoms. The calculated period of charge oscillations on the alkyl and nitro groups coincided with the period of reversible charge transfer (～5–10 fs) between the conjugated subsystems (benzene ring + substituent) observed as the α angle changed. The rate of charge transfer between the electron donor and electron acceptor groups was calculated to be (3–6)×10⁵ m/s. Charge oscillations on benzene ring carbon atoms and donor and acceptor groups did not cause similar dipole moment oscillations and vibrations in the IR spectrum. The dipole moment of the molecule decreases as the angle between benzene ring planes increases, and the passage to the “perpendicular” conformation should increase the C≡N stretching vibration frequency by ～5 cm^?1 and decrease the intensity of the IR band by ～2 times. The elongation of the aliphatic chain in the X group did not cause noticeable changes in the geometric and electronic structure of the molecule.