S 1 ∼>T 1 intersystem crossing in π-conjugated organic polymers

Quantum yields for triplet formation have been determined for seven common π-conjugated polymers in benzene solution using time-resolved photoacoustic calorimetry (PAC) in conjunction with fluorescence quantum yields, singlet and triplet energies. The polymers studied include three poly(thiophenes), poly(2-methoxy,5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-p-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV), a cyano derivative of MEH-PPV, a ladder type poly(p-phenylene) (MeLPPP), and a poly(fluorene). Yields of singlet oxygen formation have also been determined for these polymers in benzene by time-resolved phosphorimetry, and are in reasonable agreement with triplet yields obtained by PAC. Polythiophenes show the highest intersystem crossing yields, which are suggested to result from extensive spin-orbit coupling. Where singlet oxygen yields are less than triplet yields, it is suggested that interaction of molecular oxygen with the ground state of the polymers may be involved.