Composite poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-nafion thin films

Composite thin films of poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and the polyelectrolyte Nafion have been prepared by the polymerization of 1,1'-{[}(p-phenylene)bis(methylene)bis {[}tetrahydrothiophenium] dichloride electrostatically bound to Nafion. The composite films are strongly fluorescent. The absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the films have been measured and are similar to those of poly(p-phenylenevinylene). X-ray microanalysis and weight gain experiments performed on the films suggest that the dicationic monomer occupies less than 15% of the cation exchanging sites in the Nafion, leaving sites available for binding of additional small cations.