Light-Emitting Electrochemical Cells Based on Conjugated Ion Gels.

π-conjugated gels are potentially useful for organic electronic applications. We present a π-conjugated ion gel, composed of substituted poly(para-phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) and an ionic liquid. This combination is well suited as an active material in a light-emitting electrochemical cells (LECs). The nanosegregated structure of the gels achieves a large interface between the polymer and ionic liquid (IL) and allows-by nature of its structure-facile ion conduction and continuous electrical conduction paths. Efficient doping significantly improves the response time. This concept should be applicable to other π-conjugated gels, and it allows the construction of gel-LECs.