Tuning of the photoinduced charge transfer process in donor-acceptor double-cable copolymers

We present a study on the photoinduced charge transfer properties of a series of alkylthiophene copolymers carrying anthraquinone type acceptor molecules covalently linked to the conjugated backbone. FTIR photoinduced absorption and light-induced electron spin resonance (LESR) experiments demonstrate the photoinduced electron transfer from the polythiophene backbone to the anthraquinone moieties. By changing the content of acceptor molecules, it is possible to tune the number of photogenerated charges as well as their lifetimes. Changes induced by the acceptors to the polythiophene properties are also observed and discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.