Small-Molecule:Polymer Composites for Transparent Films with Visible Emission

Abstract

The analysis of the shift in photoluminescence emission for a blend of polyvinylcarbazole and acrylonitrile derivative compounds is reported. The small-molecule compounds have different functional groups, phenyl, pyridine, or methyl phenyl, attached to an acrylonitrile group. According to the functional group, the blue emission for pure dye shifts to green or yellowish in the blend film. Several PVK:dye ratios from 0:100 to 20:80 were used for film deposition. The film morphology was analyzed by atomic force microscopy; for low dye content, homogeneous films were achieved. However, aggregates of several micrometers are formed on the surface of films with higher dye concentrations. The shift in emission occurs only with PVK, and for a non-conjugated matrix such as polystyrene, the emission remains unchanged. The interaction of dyes with PVK leading to change in emission was also achieved by grinding dye and polymer. Results showed that shifts in emission could come from exciplex formation along with changes in dye intermolecular interactions. The blend films were highly transparent in the visible spectra due to the absorption in the UV region for dye and matrix. The films with ratio PVK: dye ratio 80:20 was used as active layer in OLEDs.