Enhanced and tunable photoluminescence of polyphenylenevinylenes confined in nanocomposite films

Conformation of macromolecules and interchain interactions determine spectral properties of conjugated polymers (CP). An achievement of spatial confinement of isolated chains is one of the routes to use this feature of CP for their purposeful usage. In the present work, CP/O300 nanocomposites based on CP - poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and poly(2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) - and silica nanoparticles (O300) are prepared. In comparison with many previously known hybrid nanomaterials synthesized with the similar purpose, CP/O300 nanocomposites are characterized by the essentially enhanced and tunable photoluminescence. The greatest change of color coordinates is observed for poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-based nanocomposites due to specific preparation method and interaction with the inorganic component. The main emission from CP in the CP/O300 nanocomposites is owing to 0–0 transitions, while 0–1 transitions, associated with aggregate states of the CP chains, are suppressed. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s11671-015-0818-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.