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Synthesis and Interfacial Properties of Optically‐Active Photonic Nanocomposites with Single Nanoparticle Dispersion at High Solids Loading
Author(s) -
Zhao Xinyu,
Sun Yang,
He Chaobin,
Tan Mei Chee
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.201600334
Subject(s) - materials science , nanocomposite , nanoparticle , polymer , silsesquioxane , thermal stability , polymer nanocomposite , chemical engineering , composite material , nanotechnology , engineering
The integration of inorganic rare earth doped nanoparticles in polymer matrices to obtain transparent polymer composites has attracted much attention in optical applications as the polymer‐based systems harness the benefits of both inorganic and polymer materials. To obtain highly emissive nanocomposites, it is highly desirable to maximize the loading of nanoparticles in the polymer matrices while minimizing scattering losses. This work develops a nanocomposite with brightly infrared‐emitting NaYF 4 :Yb,Er nanoparticles dispersed in hydrolyzed polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐graft‐poly (methyl methacrylate) (H‐POSS‐PMMA) matrix, which is prepared by spin coating. In this process, H‐POSS‐PMMA acts as both surfactant and polymer matrix. The resulting nanocomposite exhibits mostly single nanoparticle dispersion at a high solid loading of 10 vol%, excellent thermal stability, and superior optical properties. Moreover, the H‐POSS‐PMMA modifies the particle interfacial behavior to improve colloidal stability in anisole for approximately two months. Our modification method can also be extended to other optical inorganic nanoparticles and polymer matrices, leading to significant advancements in various commercial applications such as flexible optoelectronic devices, photovoltaics, and photodetectors.