Broadband Spectrum Light-Driven PANI/Au/Beta-Cyclodextrin Nanocomposite and Its Light-Triggered Interfacial Carrier Transfer

Abstract

Polyaniline/Au nanocomposites were synthesized by a novel method. Aniline monomers were loaded in the hydrophobic cavities of beta-cyclodextrin, and a polymerization reaction occurred at the interface of the beta-cyclodextrin cavities and the liquid phase of chloroauric acid. UV-vis absorbance indicated that the nanocomposite covered the range of visible light and NIR (near infrared). The photo-excitation experiment was carried out with typical wavelengths in the visible light (405 nm, 532 nm, and 650 nm) and NIR (780 nm, 808 nm, 980 nm, and 1064 nm) regions (10–200 mW) based on Au inter-digital electrodes on flexible polymer substrates casting a thick film. The nanocomposites exhibited photo-current switching behavior in visible light and NIR. The ratio of on/off was enormously dependent on the power and wavelength of incident light. The robust interface coupling between Au and PANi of the nanocomposite promoted the separation and transfer of electron/hole. The mechanism of carrier generation, separation, and transfer at interfaces of Au/conjugated polymer/non-conjugated small organic molecules by light inducement was discussed at the electron level. The results illustrate that the nanocomposites quickly produced free electrons and holes by low-power incident light, could prevent the recombination of electron/hole pairs to a certain extent, and could overcome the interface barriers between metal, conjugated polymer, and small organic molecules for transfer. This provides a simple and practical approach for developing multi-functional nanocomposites that have the potential act as intelligent nano-carriers, photo-current switches, NIR detectors, and for information storage.

Strong Interface Interaction of ZnO Nanosheets and MnSx Nanoparticles Triggered by Light over Wide Ranges of Wavelength to Enhance Their Removal of VOCs

“…were determined with an LK2000A Electrochemical Work Station from LANLIKE Chemistry and Electron High Technology Co., Ltd. (LANLIKE Chemistry and Electron High Technology Co., LTD, Tianjin, China). A 1 V DC bias was applied [89][90][91].…”

“…For many years, the authors have been very interested in studies on low-dimensional polymer functional materials or organic-inorganic functional nanocomposites and their properties [89][90][91][92][93][94]. In several previous reports, the authors' groups have published some references on ZnO-or TiO 2 -based nanocomposites and their properties [92][93][94][95][96][97].…”

Polymer-Derived Carbon Nanofiber and Its Photocurrent-Switching Responses of Carbon Nanofiber/Cu Nanocomposite in Wide Ranges of Excited Light Wavelength

“…Regarding the NIR range, there are a few references. For over ten years, Ma and co-workers [55,56] were interested in organic/inorganic functional nanocomposites and their properties. Especially, free electrons/holes were extracted via light inducement in the broadband spectrum response range (from visible range to NIR).…”

“…The materials system involved conjugated polymers, metal oxides, metal sulfides, nanodots, carbon dots, conjugated small organic molecules, carbon-based nanocomposites, heterostructures, and organic/inorganic hybrid multifunc-tional nanocomposites. In previous publications, regarding the studies of polymers, Ma and co-workers mainly focused on the conjugated polymer because of the delocalization of electrons and controlled density of electrons via electron-donating/withdrawing groups or contact interface of nanocomposites [55,57]. In recent years, Ma and co-workers have also been interested in non-conjugated polymer-derived carbon dots or other carbon nanostructures due to the diversified design of nanocomposites.…”

Interface Optimization of Metal Quantum Dots/Polymer Nanocomposites and their Properties: Studies of Multi-Functional Organic/Inorganic Hybrid

“…Photo-generated electrons were easily trapped by the defects mentioned earlier for a non-conjugated polymer system. In a previous report [86], our focus was put on the addition of small organic molecules to enhance the stability of nanoparticles, avoid aggregation, and their photo-current response properties characterization of nanocomposites. In this paper, the emphasis was placed on nanomaterials filled non-conjugated polymers system and light-matter interaction.…”