Direct detection of hole transfer processes along the polymer chain by means of picosecond transient absorption and dichroism measurements: poly(vinylnaphthalene) systems in 1,2-dichloroethane solution

Picosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and transient dichroism measurements were applied to the direct detection of hole migration processes along the polymer chains of poly(1-vinylnaphthalene) and poly(2-vinylnaphthalene) in 1,2-dichloroethane solution. Electron transfer dynamics in these polymers in the solution was well described by the simple scheme that the cation radical continuously migrates along pendant naphthyl moieties in polymer chain with the charge recombination at the initial position of the charge separation. Hole transfer rate constant of poly(1-vinylnaphthalene) was about twice larger than that of poly(2-vinylnaphthalene). By integrating the present results with the previous investigation on poly(N-vinylcarbazole) system, the factors regulating the rapid hole transfer process were discussed from the viewpoint of electron transfer reactions in condensed phase. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.