Discrete Intensity Jumps and Intramolecular Electronic Energy Transfer in the Spectroscopy of Single Conjugated Polymer Molecules

Abstract

Single - molecule fluorescence spectroscopy of a multichromophoric conjugated polymer (molecular weight ∼20,000) revealed surprising single-step photobleaching kinetics and acute jumps in fluorescence intensity. These jumps were shown not to result from spectral diffusion and were attributed to fluctuations in the quantum yield of emission for the molecules. The data indicate efficient intramolecular electronic energy transfer along the polymer chain to a localized fluorescence-quenching polymer defect. The defects are created by reversible photochemistry of the polymer. These findings have implications for the use of conjugated polymers in light-emitting diode displays and sensors.

Keywords

Intramolecular forceConjugated systemPhotochemistryPolymerPhotobleachingQuenching (fluorescence)Quantum yieldSpectroscopyFluorescenceFörster resonance energy transferMoleculeFluorescence spectroscopyMaterials scienceChemical physicsChemistryOpticsOrganic chemistryPhysics

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Publication Info

Year: 1997
Type: article
Volume: 277
Issue: 5329
Pages: 1074-1077
Citations: 512
Access: Closed

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APA Style

                            
                                
                                    David A. Vanden Bout, 
                                
                                    Wai-Tak Yip, 
                                
                                    Dehong Hu
                                
                                et al.
                            
                            (1997). 
                            Discrete Intensity Jumps and Intramolecular Electronic Energy Transfer in the Spectroscopy of Single Conjugated Polymer Molecules. 
                            Science
                            , 277
                            (5329)
                            , 1074-1077.
                            https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5329.1074
                        

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1126/science.277.5329.1074