Optical and electrophysical properties of nanocomposites based on PEDOT: PSS and gold/silver nanoparticles

The absorption spectra in the visible region and current-voltage characteristics in a wide range of electric fields have been investigated at the macroscopic level (planar structures) and at the microscopic level (using a conductive atomic force microscope) in films based on the electroactive polymer PEDOT: PSS and gold/silver nanoparticles (PEDOT: PSS + Au/AgNP). It has been shown that the behavior of the current-voltage characteristics of the nanocomposite films depends significantly on the electric field strength. It has been found that the introduction of gold nanoparticles into PEDOT: PSS in weak electric fields leads to an increase in the bulk conductance by almost two orders of magnitude (due to donor-acceptor interactions), a 50% decrease in the conduction activation energy, and an increase in the sensitivity to adsorbed oxygen. It has been demonstrated that electrical conduction of PEDOT: PSS + AuNP films is provided by hopping charge transfer both in the system of intrinsic localized states and in the system of impurity states of adsorbed oxygen. In strong electric fields, the current-voltage characteristics exhibit a different behavior in the forward and reverse scanning modes.     

Optical properties of metal-polymer nanocomposites based on iron and high-pressure polyethylene

The optical reflectance and absorption spectra of nanocomposite materials based on iron and highpressure polyethylene (with different percentages of iron) were measured at room temperature in the visible and near-infrared regions. Oscillations of the absorption coefficient related to the optical transitions between minibands of the quantum well are revealed in the electronic spectrum of a metal nanoparticle. The experimental and theoretical data on the absorption coefficient are compared. It is shown that, with an increase in the iron concentration in the dielectric matrix, the discrepancy in the theoretical and experimental results decreases significantly.     

Competitive adsorption of polymers on metal nanoparticles

We investigate the effect of system properties and adsorption sequence on competitive adsorption of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS) on narrowly polydispersed cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (D ∼ 27 nm). The adsorbed layer composition is studied using thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). We find that adsorbed layers of PS are completely displaced by PMMA when the solvent is a common good solvent. An adsorbed layer of only PMMA is also obtained through competitive adsorption from a common good solvent. However, in a selective solvent that is poor for PS, sequential adsorption leads to the formation of mixed layers.     

Some specific properties of dicarboxylate polymers based on Al and Ti metal ions

Neutralization of carboxyl-terminated polybutadienes with tri-or tetravalent metal was carried out with different ratios of the corresponding neutralizing agents. The network structures of the prepared materials were investigated through their molecular, thermal, dynamic mechanical, and dielectric properties. The nature, the density, and the efficiency of the ionic interactions influence the solubility, the formation, and the thermal stability of the three-dimensional cross-linked ion-containing polymers.     

Optical and photoluminescent properties of nanomaterials based on cadmium sulfide nanoparticles and polyethylene

The spectral characteristics of absorption and photoluminescence of synthetic composite materials based on cadmium sulfide nanoparticles and polyethylene are studied in the visible and near-IR wavelength ranges. It is shown that the quantum efficiency of a material with CdS nanoparticles about 6 nm in size in a matrix of high-pressure polyethylene is the highest. The estimation of the photoluminescence linewidth shows that the linewidth of this material is the smallest, amounting to 0.55 eV, which indicates that the structure of these nanoparticles is more perfect.     

Effect of metal nanoparticles on the thermal stability and conductivity of nanocomposites

The thermogravimetric parameters of the thermal degradation of nanocomposites containing noble metal (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) nanoparticles in the arabinogalactan matrix are estimated. The effect nanoparticles have on the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites with the arabinogalactan dielectric matrix is investigated in detail.     

Optical and dielectric properties of nanocomposites systems based on epoxy resins and reactive polyhedral oligosilsquioxanes

An epoxy network structure made of diglycidylether of bisphenol-A and diamino diphenylsulfone was modified by adding various amounts of an epoxy functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized in terms of optical and dielectric properties. The UV-absorption spectra were collected in the wavelength range of 400–800 nm. The optical data were analyzed in terms of absorption formula for non-crystalline materials. The optical energy gap and other basic constants, such as energy tails, dielectric constants, refractive index and optical conductivity, were determined and showed a clear dependence on the POSS concentration. It was found that the optical energy gap for the neat epoxy resin is less than for nanocomposites, and it decreases with increase in the POSS content. The refractive index of nanocomposites was determined from the calculated values of absorption and reflectance. It was found that the refractive index and the dielectric constants increased with increase in the POSS concentration. The optical conductivity, which is a measure of the optical absorption, increased with the POSS content. Furthermore, it was found that the glass transition temperature and the optical energy gap correlate well with the POSS filler concentration.     

Optical properties of hybrid plasmonic nanofluid based on core/shell nanoparticles

The plasmonic effect is used in nanofluid to help capture and absorb sunlight. The optical absorption is significantly enhanced as plasmonic effect excited. To obtain an enhanced absorption in a broad band, the hybrid plasmonic nanofluid is developed. It is composed of core/shell nanoparticles of different sizes. The overall absorption of hybrid nanofluid is examined. Compared to the nanofluid of single particle size, the hybrid nanofluid exhibits a broadband absorption. As particle size increases, the plasmon resonance peak is shifted to longer wavelength. The variation in the sizes of core/shell nanoparticles can broaden the absorption spectrum. In the near-infrared region, the proportion of different size particles has an obvious influence. With the increase of proportion of larger particles, the absorption band is broadened. Since the suspended nanoparticles have different sizes, the particle distribution in base fluid also has an effect on absorption of light. The large particle in upper has a broadband absorption, however, less energy can be transmitted to lower after the absorption of upper particles. The contribution from the particles in lower is relatively weak.     

Optical properties of soot nanoparticles

In this paper, the dipole-dipole approximation is used to characterize the dynamical electromagnetic properties of two types of carbonaceous nanoparticles modelling the basic constituents of aircraft soot particles. The corresponding polarizability per unit volume is then compared with the one calculated for equivalent defect-free structures and with the one resulting from a continuum model. It is found that the polarizability per unit volume strongly depends on the details of the structure of the nanoparticle, and that this dependence could be used to discriminate between different carbonaceous particles using optical scattering experiments in the visible or near-UV domain.     

Optical properties of conjugated polymer-ZnSe nanocrystal nanocomposites

Nanocomposites of poly[(2-methoxy,5-octoxy)1,4-phenylenevinylene]-zinc selenide (MOPPV-ZnSe) are synthesized by mixing the polymerization of 1,4-bis (chloromethyl)-2-methoxy-5-octoxy-benzene in the presence of ZnSe quantum dots. The resulting MOPPV-ZnSe nanocomposites possess a well-defined interfacial contact, thus significantly promoting the dispersion of ZnSe within the MOPPV matrix and facilitating the electronic interaction between these two components. Raman and UV--visible absorption spectra are influenced by the incorporation of ZnSe nanocrystals. High-resolution transmission electron microscopic and tapping-mode atomic force microscopic results show clearly the evidence for phase-segregated networks of ZnSe nanocrystals, which provide a large area of interface for charge separation to occur. Steady-state spectra of MOPPV-ZnSe nanocomposites are markedly quenched by the introduction of intimate polymer/ZnSe junctions. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements show that the lifetime decays quickly, which further confirms the occurrence of charge transfer in MOPPV-ZnSe nanocomposites.     

New nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotube and polymer

Metal-carbon nanotube-graft-polymer (MCNT-g-P) nanocomposites were synthesized and characterized successfully. In this work, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were opened using HNO₃/H₂SO₄ mixture and filled by metal nanoparticles such as silver nanoparticles through wet chemistry method. Then MWCNT containing metal nanoparticles were used as macroinitiator for ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and MCNT-g-P nanocomposites were obtained. Length of grafted polymer arms onto the MWCNT was controlled using MWCNT/ε-caprolactone ratio. Structure and properties of nanocomposites were evaluated by TEM, DSC, TGA, and spectroscopy methods.     

Synthesis of nanoparticles and its effect on properties of elastomeric nanocomposites

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles (9, 15, and 21 nm) were synthesized by solution spray of CaCl₂ and NH₄HCO₃ with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) as a stabilizing agent, and their effect was studied on polybutadiene rubber (PBR) with variations in wt% loading (4, 8, and 12%). The results of PBR nanocomposites were compared with commercial CaCO₃ (40 μm) and fly ash (75 μm) filled PBR microcomposites. Properties such as tensile strength, young modulus, elongation at break, glass transition temperature, decomposition temperature, and abrasion resistances were determined. Profound effect in properties was observed, because nanometric size of CaCO₃ particles synthesized using solution spray technique. Maximum improvement in mechanical and flame retarding properties was observed at 8 wt% of filler loading. This increment in properties was more pronounced in 9-nm size CaCO₃. The results were not appreciable above 8 wt% of nanofillers because of agglomeration of nanoparticles. In addition, an attempt was made to consider modeling Young’s modulus of PBR–nano CaCO₃ which was predicted by modified Halpin–Tsai equation. It was observed that the predication by the Guth equation and modified Halpin–Tsai equation agreed very well with experimental, whereas the Halpin–Tsai equation can only applied to predict the modulus of rubber nanocomposites in the range of low addition of nanofiller, which agrees the Nielsen equation.     

Optical properties of citrate-stabilized CdS nanoparticles

Citrate-stabilized CdS nanoparticles of size 4 nm are obtained by varying the sulfide:citrate ion concentration in a simple aqueous synthesis method. The optical absorption and photoluminescence properties of the nanoparticles are studied. The size of the crystallites is found to be less affected by sulfide:citrate ratio. At lower concentrations of S²⁻, trap state emission is favoured and at higher concentrations excitonic transition is predominant as shown by optical absorption and photoluminescence spectra. Effective surface capping and optimum concentration of S²⁻ leads to the quenching of surface-defect-related emission. Increase in citrate ion concentration is found to increase the intensity of photoluminescence band arising from trap state emission revealing the role of sulfide:citrate ratio on surface modification of CdS nanocrystals. The nanoparticles are hexagonal as shown by the X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction pattern.     

Optical properties of metal nanoparticles synthesized in a polymer by ion implantation: A review

Polymer composite layers irradiated by 30-keV Ag⁺ ions with doses from 3.1×10¹⁵ to 7.5×10¹⁶ cm^?2 and an ion current of 4 µA/cm² are investigated. The composites were examined using Rutherford backscattering (RBS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and optical spectroscopy. As follows from electron microscopy and electron microdiffraction data, ion implantation is a promising tool for synthesizing silver nanoparticles in the surface region. The optical density spectra taken of these composites demonstrate that the silver nanoparticles exhibit unusually weak plasma resonance. The formation of silver nanoparticles in layers carbonized by ion implantation is considered. Based on the Mie theory, optical extinction spectra for silver particles in the polymer and carbon matrices are simulated and optical spectra for complex silver core-carbon sheath nanoparticles are calculated. The physics behind the experimental optical spectra of the composite is discussed.     

Optical and electrical properties of hydrogenated yttrium nanoparticles

We studied the effect of hydrogen in yttrium nanoparticles on a quartz substrate, using optical spectroscopy and electrical resistance measurements. Pulsed laser deposition is used to obtain the Y clusters in an UHV environment. We show, that these clusters are highly sensitive to monoatomic H₁ produced from ambient hydrogen gas pressures, ranging from 10^-5 to 50 mbar with our experimental arrangement. The changes of optical and electrical properties due to the chemical reaction within the particles are sufficient to consider this material as a possible sensor for low concentrations of hydrogen. Received 29 November 2000     

Optical properties and biomedical applications of plasmonic nanoparticles

Nanoparticle plasmonics is a rapidly emerging research field that deals with the fabrication and optical characterization of noble metal nanoparticles of various size, shape, structure, and tunable plasmon resonances over VIS-NIR spectral band. The recent simultaneous advances in synthesis, characterization, electromagnetic simulation, and surface functionalization of plasmonic nanoparticles by biospecific molecular probes have led to a perfect publication storm in discoveries and potential biomedical applications of plasmon-resonant nanoparticle bioconjugates. Here, we present an overview of these topics. First, we discus basic wet-chemical routes to fabricate conjugates of gold, silver, or composite particles with controllable size, shape, structure and with surface functionalization by biospecific molecules. Second, we consider the single-particle dipole and multipole optics and coupled plasmonic nanoparticle arrays. Finally, we discus application of plasmonic bioconjugates to such fields as homogeneous and solid-phase assays, biomedical sensing and imaging, biodistribution and toxicity aspects, drug delivery and plasmonic photothermal therapy.     

Optical properties of annealed Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles

Cysteine stabilized ZnS and Mn²⁺-doped ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by a wet chemical route. Using the ZnS:Mn²⁺ nanoparticles as seeds, silica-coated ZnS (ZnS@Si) and ZnS:Mn²⁺ (ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si) nanocomposites were formed in water by hydrolysis and condensation of tetramethoxyorthosilicate (TMOS). The influence of annealing in air, formier gas, and argon at 200-1000 °C on the chemical stability of ZnS@Si and ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si nanoparticles with and without silica shell was examined. Silica-coated nanoparticles showed an improved thermal stability over uncoated particles, which underwent a thermal combustion at 400 °C. The emission of the ZnS@Si and ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si passed through a minimum in photoluminescence intensity when annealed at 600 °C. Upon annealing at higher temperatures, ZnS@Si conserved the typical emission centered at 450 nm (blue). ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si yielded different high intensity emissions when heated to 800 °C depending on the gas employed. Emissions due to the Mn²⁺ at 530 nm (green; Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺), 580 nm (orange; ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si), and 630 nm (red; ZnS:Mn²⁺@Si) were obtained. Therefore, with a single starting product a set of different colors was produced by adjusting the atmosphere wherein the powder is heated.     

Study on optical properties of aggregated ultra-small metal nanoparticles

We study the optical properties of dimer and septamer aggregates (in forms of being separated or merged) of ultra-small silver nanoparticles (a few nanometers in diameter) by calculating their extinction spectra and optical field distributions using the discrete dipole approximation method. Characteristics of their extinction spectra are identified due to different resonance modes dependent on the incidence states of light. Specifically, as polarization of the incidence light is perpendicular to the center-to-center lines of the nanoparticles, interaction of neighboring nanoparticles is in the “repulsive coupling mode”, which results in blue-shift of the resonance peak with decrease of the nanoparticle interspacing. While, whenever there is a projection of the polarization of incident light on the center-to-center lines of the nanoparticles, the “attractive coupling mode” between the nanoparticles dominates in their resonant interaction, which results in red-shift of the resonance peak with decrease of the nanoparticle interspacing. It is also shown that optical interaction of the ultra-small nanoparticles is only effective when their interspacings are approximately less than 15 nm, and particularly prominent when Coulomb interactions of the electronic charges of plasmons are active within a few nanometers.     

Optical properties of hybrid polymers as barrier materials

The development of high barrier films for the encapsulation of organic electronics devices onto flexible polymeric substrates is attracting a considerable scientific interest, since it is important to protect the organic semiconductor layers of these devices from corrosion due to atmospheric gas molecule permeation. The barrier layers for encapsulation consist of a sequence of inorganic and hybrid polymer thin films that are deposited onto flexible polymeric substrates, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In addition to their barrier response, these multilayer systems should also exhibit high transparency and good adhesion between the hybrid polymer and inorganic layers. The knowledge of their optical properties and the correlation of the optical response with their structure and the final barrier response are of major importance since it will contribute towards the optimization of their functionality. In this work, the optical properties of hybrid polymers deposited onto silicon oxide inorganic thin films that were grown onto flexible polymeric substrates, have been investigated by the use of spectroscopic ellipsometry in a wide spectral region from the infrared to the visible-ultra violet. As it has been found, the increase of the solid content in the hybrid polymers is associated with a reduction in the refractive index values. This behavior can be correlated to a lower density of the hybrid polymer, and furthermore to a poor barrier response, due to the less cohesive inorganic-organic bonding network. Finally, from the investigation of the optical response of the hybrid polymers in the IR spectral region has revealed information on their bonding structure that has been discussed together with their barrier response.