Hybrid Layers of Donor-Acceptor Copolymers with Homogenous Silver Nanoparticle Coverage for Photonic Applications.

Věra Cimrová,Drahomír Výprachtický,Youngjong Kang,Veronika Pokorná,Sangwon Eom

doi:10.3390/polym13030439

Věra Cimrová, Drahomír Výprachtický + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13030439

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Abstract

Hybrid layers of donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers containing N,N′-dialkylperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxydiimide electron-acceptor units covered with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were prepared by electrochemical doping of pristine layers during reduction processes. In situ optical absorption spectra of the layers were recorded during the formation of Ag-NP coverage. The hybrid layers were characterized by absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In the absorption spectra of the hybrid layers, a surface plasmon band characteristic of Ag-NPs appeared. Significant improvements in light absorption due to the plasmonic effects of Ag NPs were observed. Stable Ag-NPs with an average diameter of 41–63 nm were formed on the surface, as proven by SEM and XPS. The Ag-NP coverage and size depended on the hybrid layer preparation conditions and on the copolymer composition. The metallic character of the Ag-NPs was proven by XPS. The location in the surface layer was further confirmed by EDX analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on such hybrid layers having the potential for a variety of photonic and electronic applications.

Highlights

The hybrid layers were characterized by optical, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) methods
The formation of Ag-NPs was evident in the measured in situ optical absorption spectra, where a characteristic surface plasmon (SP) absorption band appeared
Hybrid layers exhibited significantly higher light absorption due to the plasmonic effects of Ag-NPs, which is promising for the use in solar cells

Summary

Introduction

Third-generation semiconducting polymers, including low-bandgap donor-acceptor (D-A) copolymers, are of interest due to their many potential applications, namely in photonics and electronics, such as in light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices, photodetectors, organic field-effect transistors, sensors, optical switches, and electrochromic devices, due to their specific physical, optical, and/or electronic properties [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. The combination of organic semiconductors and metal nanoparticles (NPs) can further improve device performances. The incorporation of metal NPs in organic solar cells can enhance the device absorption, charge transport, and, their performance [15,16,17,18]. Results concerning the electrochemical behavior of their thin films indicates that these copolymers could be promising for further nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) of average sizes below 100 nm. PDI-based polymers were reported as potential nt2y.pMe mataeterriiaallssfaonr adllM-poelythmoedrisc solar cells [22,23,24,25].

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