Control of polymer–electrode interactions: the effect of leaving group on the optical properties and device characteristics of EHPPV

Poly[2-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (EHPPV) was prepared via chloro, S-methyl xanthate and O-ethyl xanthate precursor polymers. The choice of leaving group used was found to control the optical and device properties of the EHPPV with the variations arising from the differing chemical interactions of the leaving groups with indium tin oxide (ITO). The leaving group–ITO interactions were found to dominate the properties of EHPPV when formed from the commonly used chloro precursor polymer and this problem could be solved by use of xanthate leaving groups which were found not to react with the contact.