Optical and Structural Properties of MEH-PPV: ZnO Nanocomposites

Thin films of conducting unsaturated polymer of red color poly [2-methoxy-5(2'-ethyl hexyloxy)-phenylene vinylene] (MEH-PPV) containing different weight percent of ZnO nanoparticles were deposited by spin coating techniques. The MEH-PPV: ZnO solutions were spin coated onto 2 x 2 cm glass substrates. The spun MEH-PPV: ZnO thin films were used for investigating the optical properties by using Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometer (UV-Vis). The structural properties of the thin films were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). For MEH-PPV: ZnO nanocomposites, the UV-Vis absorption bands increases and showing slight blue shift compared to the pure MEH-PPV. The optical bandgap of MEH-PPV: ZnO nanocomposites slightly decrease when the amount of ZnO nanoparticles increase. ZnO nanoparticles apparently no effect on conjugation segments of MEH-PPV. From the SEM images of MEH-PPV: ZnO nanocomposites, it can be seen that ZnO nanoparticles form agglomerated regions.