One-Step Synthesis of Photoluminescent Covalent Polymeric Nanocomposites from 2D Silicon Nanosheets

Abstract

Herein, the synthesis and characterization of the first polymeric nanocomposite based on silicon nanosheets (SiNSs) are reported. In a one-step reaction, the formation of the polymeric matrix material and simultaneous functionalization of the SiNSs with polymers occur via radical polymerization of organic monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid. Depending on the purification method used, a covalently linked nanocomposite or the functionalized SiNSs are obtained. SiNSs decompose when exposed to basic conditions or to UV light. The UV-light-based decomposition is briefly investigated. In the nanocomposite, the stability of the 2D nanomaterial enhances significantly against these external influences, while the optoelectronic properties (e.g., photoluminescence) of the SiNSs and the processing characteristics of the polymeric matrix are preserved.