Electric-Field-Induced Enhancement/Quenching of Photoluminescence of π-Conjugated Polymer S3-PPV: Excitation Energy Dependence

Fluorescence enhancement induced by quadratic electric-field effects on singlet exciton dynamics in poly(3-hexylthiophene) dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate)

The dynamics of the exciton generated by photoexcitation of a regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) polymer dispersed in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix was examined using electro-photoluminescence (E-PL) spectroscopy, where electric field effects on the photoluminescence (PL) spectra were measured. The quadratic electric-field effect was investigated using the modulation technique, with field-induced changes in the PL intensity monitored at the second harmonic of the modulation frequency of the applied electric field. Absorption and PL spectra indicated the formation of both ordered crystalline aggregates and amorphous regions of P3HT polymer chains. Although previous studies of electric field effects on π-conjugated polymers have generally shown that the PL intensity is decreased by electric fields, we report that the PL intensity of P3HT and PL lifetime increased with the quadratic electric-field effect. The magnitude of the change in PL intensity was quantitatively explained in terms of the field-induced decrease in the nonradiative decay rate constants of the exciton. We proposed that a delayed PL, originating from charge carrier recombination, was enhanced in the presence of electric fields. The rate constant of the downhill relaxation process of the exciton, which originated from the relaxation in distributed energy levels due to an inherent energetic disorder in P3HT aggregates, was implied to decrease in the presence of electric fields. The radiative decay rate constant and PL quantum yield of P3HT dissolved in solution, which were evaluated from the molar extinction coefficient and the PL lifetime, were compared with those of P3HT dispersed in a PMMA matrix.

Electroabsorption spectra of push–pull porphyrins in solution and in solid films

Polarized electroabsorption (E-A) spectra of highly efficient porphyrin sensitizers (YD2 and YD2-oC8) have been measured in benzene solution. Polarized E-A spectra of these push–pull porphyrins embedded in poly(methyl methacrylate) films or sensitized on TiO 2 films are also observed. Based on the analysis of the E-A spectra, the magnitude of the electric dipole moment both in the ground state and in the lowest excited state have been evaluated in solution and in solid films. The electric dipole moment in the excited state of these compounds is very large on TiO 2 films, suggesting the interfacial charge transfer on TiO 2 surface following photoexcitation of porphyrin dyes. The electric dipole moment in the excited state evaluated from the E-A spectra is very different from the one evaluated from the electrophotoluminescence spectra on TiO 2, suggesting that the strong local field of TiO 2 films is applied to the fluorescing dyes attached to TiO 2 films.

Electric-field effects on photoinduced dynamics and function

Photoinduced electron-transfer processes are enhanced or quenched by application of electric fields, depending on the donor–acceptor pairs. Electric-field-induced quenching of photoluminescence, which results from the field-induced dissociation of the exciton state that depends on the photoexcitation wavelength, is observed in π-conjugated polymers. These electric-field effects on photoinduced dynamics have been confirmed by the measurements both of electroabsorption and electrophotoluminescence spectra and of time-resolved electrophotoluminescence decays. Time-resolved measurements of photocurrent, with which novel material function in electrical conductivity of organic materials induced by photo-irradiation and application of electric fields is confirmed, are also reviewed.

Photophysics and dynamics of surface plasmon polaritons-mediated energy transfer in the presence of an applied electric field

The possibility to transfer energy between molecular excitons across a metal film up to 150 nm thick represents a very attractive solution to control and improve the performances of thin optoeletronic devices. This process involves the presence of coupled surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at the two dielectric-metal interfaces, capable of mediating the interactions between donor and acceptor, located on opposite sides of the metal film. In this Article, the photophysics and the dynamics of an efficient SPP-mediated energy transfer between a suitable dye and a conjugated polymer is characterized by means of steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence techniques. The process is studied in model multilayer structures (donor/metal/acceptor) as well as in electrically pumped heterostructures (donor/metal cathode/acceptor/anode), to verify the effects of applied electric fields on the efficiency and the dynamics of SPP-mediated energy transfer. A striking enhancement of the overall luminescence was recorded in a particular range of applied bias, suggesting the presence of cooperative effects between optical and electrical stimulations.