Investigation on the Optical and Surface Morphology of Conjugated Polymer MEH-PPV:ZnO Nanocomposite Thin Films

Abstract EN

Thin films of red color poly(2-methoxy-5(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-phenylene vinylene) (MEH-PPV) containing different weight percent of ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by spin-coating techniques.

The MEH-PPV:ZnO solutions were spin coated onto silicon and glass substrates.

The spun MEH-PPV:ZnO thin films were then used to investigate optical properties by using ultraviolet-visible spectrometer (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence spectrophotometer (PL).

The morphologies were investigated by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), while the identification of ZnO in the final product was determined by using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

The UV-Vis absorption band increases, while the optical bandgap decreases when the amount of ZnO nanoparticles increases.

ZnO nanoparticles apparently have no effect on the conjugation segments of MEH-PPV.

PL spectra show that the emission peak increases and slightly red shift as ZnO concentration increases.

Based on SEM images of MEH-PPV:ZnO nanocomposite thin films, ZnO nanoparticles form agglomerated regions.