Optical, electrochemical and electrogravimetric behavior of poly(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) films

Poly(1-methoxy-4-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)-p-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) films spin-cast from chloroform solution were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectroelectrochemistry, and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements. The MEH-PPV films exhibited two well-defined redox waves during p- and n-electrochemical doping, and a mass gain at the end of each cycle that is characteristic of the movement of ions and solvent into and out the film. The electronic energy gap of MEH-PPV was estimated as 2.35 eV from the anodic and cathodic onset potentials obtained by cyclic voltammetry, in good agreement with the value of optical energy gap determined from the absorption edge, 2.21 eV. The films also showed a reversible and stable electrochromic transition at a positive range of applied potentials from reddish-orange (neutral form) to brownish-green (oxidized form).