Synthesis and optical properties of organic semiconductor: zirconia nanocomposites

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 12; no. 7; pp. 2541 - 2551
• Main Authors: Sagmeister, M., Brossmann, U., List, E. J. W., Ochs, R., Szabó, D. V., Saf, R., Grogger, W., Tchernychova, E., Würschum, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2010; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; Anthracene; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coating; Cores; Energy loss; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Mass spectrometry; Materials Science; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optical properties; Optics; Organic compounds; Organic semiconductors; Oxides; Photoluminescence; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Research Paper; Synthesis; X-ray diffraction; Zirconium dioxide; Nanocrystalline oxides; Micro wave plasma synthesis; Transmission electron microscopy; Photoluminescence; Organic semiconductors; Core-shell nanoparticles; Electron energy loss spectroscopy
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-009-9823-7

Oxide nanoparticles were used as carrier for organic semiconductor materials. Stable suspensions of ZrO 2 nanoparticles coated with anthracene, pentacene, or para-hexaphenyl were obtained by microwave plasma synthesis of ZrO 2 cores, subsequent in situ coating with organic compounds, and in situ dispersion in ethylene glycol. Powders of coated oxide nanoparticles were synthesized for comparison. The successful coating and a small uniform size distribution of the ZrO 2 cores were confirmed by comprehensive characterization including photoluminescence, absorption spectroscopy, electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. Powder compacts of anthracene-coated ZrO 2 particles showed good air stability and a significant blue shift accompanied by an attenuation of the emission lines at higher vibronic orders in comparison to samples of pure anthracene as received. For para-hexaphenyl-coated nanoparticles, the same photoluminescence characteristics are observed as for pure para-hexaphenyl. In the case of pentacene-coated nanoparticles indication for degradation is found.