Interface Interactions in Conjugated Polymer Composite with Metal Oxide Nanoparticles.

Atisme Atisme,Hsu Hsu,Chen Chen,Yu Yu,Tseng Tseng

doi:10.3390/nano9111534

Abstract

This study presents the preparation, characterization, and properties of a new composite containing cerium oxide nanoparticles and a conjugated polymer. CeO2 nanoparticles prepared using the co-precipitation method were dispersed into the conjugated polymer, prepared using the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The interface interactions between the two components and the resultant optoelectronic properties of the composite are demonstrated. According to transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the dispersion of CeO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix strongly depends on the CeO2 nanoparticle concentration and results in different degrees of charge transfer. The photo-induced charge transfer and recombination processes were studied using steady-state optical spectroscopy, which shows a significant fluorescence quenching and red shifting in the composite. The higher photo-activity of the composite as compared to the single components was observed and explained. Unexpected room temperature ferromagnetism was observed in both components and all composites, of which the origin was attributed to the topology and defects.

Highlights

Composites containing nanoparticles have received much attention due to their synergistic and hybrid properties derived from their corresponding components
Other chemicals used for polymer synthesis are aqueous potassium carbonate (K2CO3), tetrakis palladium and 1,4-dioxane
The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) pattern of CeO2 nanoparticles indicates peaks at 2θ about 28.5◦, 33.1◦, 47.4◦, 56.3◦, 59.1◦, 69.3◦, 76.7◦ and 79.1◦ which corresponds to the lattice plane of (111), (200), (220), (311), (222), (400), (331) and (420) of CeO2 with space group Fm3m (JCPDS file No 34-0394)

Summary

Introduction

Composites containing nanoparticles have received much attention due to their synergistic and hybrid properties derived from their corresponding components. The potential uses of composites include battery cathodes and solid-state ionics [2,3], supercapacitor and dielectrics [4,5], catalysts [6,7], corrosion protection [8,9], sensors [10], optical and electrical materials [11,12], ultraviolet (UV) blocking [13,14,15] and many others In these recent years, composites with the use of organic–inorganic hybrids were found to possess improved and new properties. This method is relatively simple and commonly used for large-scale production even if the dispersion is less efficient compared to the in situ method and difficult to maintain stable dispersion

Methods

Results

Conclusion