A novel nonconjugated copolymer (PVKEU) with carbazole segments and phenanthroline [Eu(beta-diketonate)(3)] moieties was synthesized via free radical copolymerization, and characterized by FTIR, H-1 NMR spectroscopy, GPC, ICP, and elemental analysis. The copolymer exhibited good solubility, as well as good thermal stability and high glass transition temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) of this polymer in solution and in solid film has been studied. A multi-layer device with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT: PSS (40 nm)/PVKEu (70 nm)/BCP (15 nm)/AlQ(3) (30 nm)/LiF/Al exhibited nearly monochromatic red emission at 615 nm and voltage-independent spectral stability. Our results suggest that enhancing the ligand-mediated energy transfer between the matrix polymer and europium complex is a potential method to improve the electroluminescence performance of the Eu-chelated polymers. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 210-221, 2009