Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) devices have commonly used poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives as emissive layer component. Side chains play a major role in the PPV derivative solubility. The solubility of the PPV derivative does affect the efficiency and performance of the OLED device. Our goal is to investigate how different types of sidechains may increase solubility, ultimately resulting in an improved device performance.<br/>We are currently investigating three derivatives of PPV. Poly(2,5-bis(3-heptyloxy)propyl)-1,4 phenylene vinylene) (PHOPPV), Poly{2-methyl-5-(2-octyloxyethyl)-1,4-phenylene vinylene} (MOOPPV), and Poly[2,5-bis[4'-(2''ethylhexyloxy)phenyl]-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (BEHOPPV) will be synthesized by Horner-Emmons polycondensation. PHOPPV has two dialkoxy side chains with the placement of oxygen three carbons away from the ring. MOOPPV relocates the oxygen in PHOPPV to the gamma position of the benzene ring (where the oxygen is two carbons away from the ring). While BEHOPPV changes the side chains to include an additional aromatic ring with a branched side chain. Intermediates will be characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (<sup>1</sup>H NMR) and infrared spectroscopies (IR).<br/>Future works intend to compare PHOPPV, MOOPPV, and BEHOPPV with polymers that are already being used in commercial OLED devices. Furthermore, we hope to make available a comprehensive analysis of a few of the polymers used in commercial OLED devices.

Organic light-emitting diodes and the effects of sidechains on polymer solubility

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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