Non-radiative energy transfer in aqueously dispersed polymeric nanoparticles for photovoltaic applications

• Published in: Synthetic metals Vol. 275; p. 116740
• Main Authors: Bassi, Maiara de Jesus, Wouk, Luana, Renzi, Wesley, Oliveira, Camilla Karla, Duarte, José Leonil, Heisler, Ismael André, Roman, Lucimara Stolz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Energy transfer; Nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium; OPV; Nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium; OPV; Energy transfer
• ISSN: 0379-6779; 1879-3290
• DOI: 10.1016/j.synthmet.2021.116740

Polymeric nanoparticles dispersed in an aqueous medium were synthesized using the miniemulsion technique. In this study, nanoparticles composed of copolymer F8T2, homopolymer MDMO-PPV and a mixture of both were investigated aiming to unravel the interaction between these materials. By decreasing the distance between the nanostructured materials, higher Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) was observed from F8T2 to MDMO-PPV. This enhanced energy transfer could generate more free charge carriers, increasing the short circuit current density, when the nanoparticles were applied as an active layer in organic photovoltaic devices, influencing the increase in the efficiency of these devices. •Polymeric nanoparticles dispersed in water of F8T2, MDMO-PPV and their mixtures were synthesized by the miniemulsion process.•Higher FRET was observed from F8T2 to MDMO-PPV in the system where the materials are confined within the same nanoparticle.•Higher FRET and better photovoltaic performance were given to nanoparticles with 10% MDMO-PPV in the two-component system.