Synthesis, structural characterization, and optical properties of a novel hybrid nanocomposite of poly(9,9′-dihexyfluorene) and europium oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

This research aimed to synthesize the new PHF/n-Eu2O3 nanocomposite, characterize its crystalline structures and morphologies, and correlates them with their optical properties. From the XRD patterns of pure PHF, n-Eu2O3, and PHF/n-Eu2O3 samples, adjusted by the Le Bail method, the unit cells and average apparent size of crystallites (43.86, 61.55, 85.59, and 58.05 Å) were obtained. The SAXS measurements showed that the samples of pure PHF and PHF/n-Eu2O3 are polydisperse. The maximum distance of the pair distribution function of pure PHF indicated a particle size of 67.21 nm, and for PHF/n-Eu2O3 it revealed a large nanoparticle formed by two components with diameters of 96.42 and 119.05 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and SAXS revealed globular morphologies of nanoparticles of pure PHF, n-Eu2O3, and PHF/n-Eu2O3. The UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra showed a clear correlation with the ordering of the polymer chains, crystallinity, presence of the β-phase, and morphology of mixed nanoparticles in the nanocomposite.