Photoluminescence quenching of semiconducting polymer nanoparticles in presence of Au nanoparticles

Abstract

In this report, we have demonstrated the photoluminescence quenching and energy transfer properties of semiconducting polymer nanoparticles, poly (N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) in presence of different sized Au nanoparticles by steady state and time-resolved spectroscopy. We have described the quenching phenomena by sphere of action static quenching mechanism and both dynamic and static quenching processes are found in these systems. PL quenching values are 24· 22% and 57· 3% for 14 nm and 18 nm Au nanoparticles, respectively. It is found that the radiative and nonradiative decay have been modified with the size of Au nanoparticles. PL quenching and shortening of decay time regarding polymer nanoparticles in presence of Au nanoparticles suggest the nonradiative energy transfer process. The values of energy transfer are 6· 7%, 49· 5% and 53· 38% from PVK polymer nanoparticles to 3 nm, 14 nm and 18 nm Au nanoparticles, respectively. Using FRET and SET equations we have calculated the average distance of donor PVK polymer nanoparticles and acceptor Au nanoparticles.