Photophysics of Single PPV Derivative Polymers

Abstract Conjugated polymers are unique subjects composed of many excitons localized at individual segments. Migration of excitation is strongly correlated with the chain conformation. We studied the PPV derivative polymers, MEH‐PPV and DOO‐PPV, with different chain lengths to probe the relation between the conformation of, and exciton migration in, single polymers. Photo‐quenching of individual conjugated segments was used to provide information on the exciton migration process. A phenomenological model based on the polymer as a collection of conjugated segments has been developed to explain the observation. The purpose of this paper is not to provide an exhaustive account of research in the field but rather to emphasis the unique contributions of the group of Prof. W. S. Fann.