Dynamics of charge migration in poly(para-phenylene vinylene) films and nanocomposites with single walled carbon nanotubes.

We present in this paper a comprehensive study of the migration dynamics of the charges underlying transient photoluminescence (PL) processes in poly(para-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) samples from room temperature to 13 K. In order to interpret experimental data, we have modelled the long-time PL decays (from 100 to 1000 ps) using a time function proportional to [Formula: see text] in which the parameter α is evaluated in a Monte Carlo simulation on polymeric chains. The one dimensional chains (2000 sites long) are formed by random sequences of long and short conjugated segments whose bimodal distributions have been elaborated in previous works in order to reproduce the PL band shapes and peak positions. Intra-chain and inter-chain dynamics are taken into account in the migration of the photogenerated charges from short to long conjugated segments. The statistical analysis is performed by averaging over a total of 10(6) trials for each initial conditions. The values of α have been determined for pristine PPV films and PPV composite films with single-walled carbon nanotubes. This theoretical analysis is in good agreement with experimental data and provides a coherent description for the migration of the photogenerated charges in such inhomogeneous polymeric systems.

Coaxial nickel/poly(p-phenylene vinylene) nanowires as luminescent building blocks manipulated magnetically.

A template-based strategy was developed which combines a wet-chemical technique and electrodeposition within nanoporous membranes. Morphological, structural and chemical characterization by means of electron microscopy and related techniques demonstrate unambiguously that coaxial nickel/poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) nanowires have been successfully synthesized. Moreover, modification of their optical and magnetic properties due to the nanoscale and the core-shell structure has been studied. The nickel-PPV nanowires exhibit a slightly blueshifted photoluminescence (PL), which is directly related to the tubular morphology of the PPV shell. The effect of the nickel core on the PL intensity of the PPV shell is discussed. The ferromagnetic behavior has been shown with the magnetization easy axis along the wire axis. These arrays of coaxial semiconducting polymer-metal nanowires embedded in a polymer membrane are interesting for flexible electronics and photovoltaic devices. Furthermore, their magnetic manipulation has been demonstrated, which opens the way to use them as multifunctional building blocks for bio-applications.

Elaboration of conjugated polymer nanowires and nanotubes for tunable photoluminescence properties.

Prototypal photoluminescent nanofibres of poly-(p-phenylene-vinylene) (PPV) were prepared by the wetting template method in polycarbonate nanoporous membranes with an easy all-in solution polymer precursor route. Both nanowires and nanotubes were obtained by varying the dilution of the polymer precursor in methanol prior to thermal conversion. PPV nanotubes exhibit unique features, such as blue-shifted emission at 2.80 eV, higher quantum yield, and longer fluorescence lifetime with respect to PPV films. These effects are attributed to the cancellation of interchain interactions that are consistent with nanoscale tubular structures formed from weakly interacting and short polymer chain segments. The synthesis of these objects opens up perspectives for tunable photoluminescence properties in the blue spectral range and for biochemical applications.

Steady state and transient photoluminescence in poly-p-phenylene vinylene films and nanofibers.

We report in this paper experimental data on steady state and transient photoluminescence of poly-p-phenylene vinylene in the form of nanofibers prepared with a template method and converted at 110 degrees C. Results are compared to those obtained from films of different thicknesses converted at the same temperature. Data are analyzed by a model of bimodal distribution of conjugation lengths and the photoluminescence band shapes, evaluated in the framework of this model, are also presented.