Energy migration and transfer in styrene-containing polymers with inhibited excimer formation

Abstract

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopic techniques have been used to examine energy transfer and the migration of photoexcitation energy in styrene-containing polymer systems in which excimer formation is inhibited. In particular, copolymers of styrene and p-tert-butyl styrene with acenaphthylene (ACE) acceptor chromophores have been studied. Energy transfer efficiencies between styrene moieties and ACE chromophores incorporated as in-chain traps have been determined and are higher than predicted for a single-step Förster dipole–dipole energy transfer process. The results are discussed with reference to the possible mechanisms for excitation energy transport in these polymers. Keywords: polystyrene fluorescence, energy migration, energy transfer, excimer.