Comparison of poly(2,5-dibutoxy-p-phenylenevinylene)s synthesized by two different methods

Poly(2,5-dibutoxy-p-phenylenevinylene)s (PDBOPVs) were synthesized by two different methods, namely the organosoluble precursor method followed by thermal treatment, and phase transfer catalysis. Both the organosoluble precursor and PDBOPV were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrophotometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, gel permeation chromatography, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Factors affecting the synthesis of PDBOPV via the phase transfer catalysis, such as kind and amount of phase transfer catalyst, kind of solvent, reaction time as well as NaOH concentration were studied. Yield, molecular weight, solubility, conductivity and electroluminescent properties of PDBOPVs were compared. The results showed that the yield and solubility of PDBOPV obtained by phase transfer catalysis are higher than those of PDBOPV obtained by the organosoluble precursor method. However, molecular weight, conductivity and electroluminescence of PDBOPV obtained by the organosoluble precursor method are much higher than those of PDBOPV obtained by the phase transfer catalysis method. Conditions for thermal elimination of the organosoluble precursor to improve the electroluminescent properties were also investigated.