Synthesis and characterization of a new donor-acceptor conjugated polymer and polymer/Ag nanocomposites

Abstract

A 3,4-didodecyloxythiophene and (1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)benzene unit bearing a donor - acceptor (D-A) type conjugated polymer is synthesized using precursor polyhydrazide route. The optical energy band gap (Eg) of the polymer is calculated from the absorption edge in the film and is found to be 2.28 eV. To prepare polymer/Ag nanocomposites films, different wt% silver nanoparticles are used. The presence of silver nanoparticles in the nanocomposite is confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optical properties of the polymer and the nanocomposites are studied using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence emission spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry is used to study the electrochemical properties of the polymer. � 2011 American Institute of Physics.