Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) incorporated into carbon nanostructures

Abstract

Composites of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and different carbon nanostructures, such as fullerene C60, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), graphene oxide (GO), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPLs), were produced by Wittig’s soluble precursor procedure in solutions containing dispersed particles of carbon nanomaterials. These composites were investigated using infrared and Raman spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry analysis, adsorption/desorption of N2 measurement, and electrochemistry. Composites are produced in the form of nanostructural porous materials. A significant increase in the BET (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface is observed for composites in comparison to unmodified PPV. The highest BET surface area of 125 m2·g−1 was obtained for the PPV/SWCNT composite. Compared to pristine PPV, composites also exhibit higher thermal stability. The effect of the content of composite components on their electrochemical properties was also investigated. The electronic interaction between components of composite significantly affects their electrochemical properties, particularly in the case of oxidation processes. PPV incorporated into network of carbon nanostructures exhibit two well separated oxidation steps. The carbon component is responsible for the shift of the PPV reduction and oxidation processes toward less negative and less positive potentials, respectively, significantly lowering the energy of the band gap. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].