Synthesis and characterization of new dyads containing different percentages of C60 and PPV covalently linked

A series of new poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) derivatives covalently linked with fullerenes (C-60) were synthesized and characterized. Copolymers containing different percentages of C-60 were obtained by controlling the percentage of azido groups in the initial feed ratio. The absorption spectra of copolymer (PPV-C-60) showed two peaks in the regions of 410 and 330 nm. The former peak was interpreted as being of pi-pi* interband excitation of copolymer PPV followed by electron transfer to C-60, while the latter was attributed to the optical excitation of the C-60 moiety. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) analysis showed the presence of interaction between the PPV unit and fullerene moiety in the ground state. Fluorescence spectra of the copolymers indicated charge transfer from the pi* band of the photoexcited PPV of the copolymer to the C-60.