Spectroscopic studies of the interfacial interactions between polymers and nanostructures

Optical and vibrational spectroscopies are used to study the interactions of various polymers with several nanoscopic materials. First, two new conjugated polymers manufactured by the Ferraris Group in the Department of Chemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas, poly [1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylmercapto]- p-phenylenevinylene (BEHM-PPV)and poly [1,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl-sulfinyl)]- p-phenylenevinylene (BEHSO-PPV) are studied along with poly (2,5-bis (2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-p-phenylenevinylene) (BEH-PPV). It is found that the two sulphur containing polymers BEHM-PPV and BEHSO-PPV have a greater tendency to aggregate than does BEH-PPV, and also have bluer photoluminescence. These three polymers are then studied in composite with single walled carbon nanotubes where charge transfer occurs across the interface from the polymer to the nanotubes. These three polymers are studied in mixture with aggregated quantum dots, where it is seen that the quantum dot aggregation prevents significant interactions to occur. The energy transfer interaction between conjugated polymers and transparent, conducting multiwalled carbon nanotubes films is investigated. It is found that a coating of PEDOT-PSS between the nanotubes and conjugated polymer suppresses the quenching of photoluminescence. This effect is important for enhancement of electroluminescence of organic LED devices, in which MWCNT hole injectors are used instead of the usual ITO. The University of Texas developed peptide nano-1 has been shown to engage in charge transfer interactions with SWNTs and, perhaps more importantly, can enable self assembly of complex nanotube structures. Finally, poly [2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)- p-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and poly[3-hexyl thiophene] (P3HT) are studied in composite with titanium dioxide and an increase in the photoluminescence is seen, induced by interfacial interactions between the polymer and TiO 2. An explanation based on polaron mediated triplet to singlet exciton conversion is presented as an explanation for this effect.