Influence of the FeO(OH) nanoparticles concentration in the in-situ synthesis of P3HT

Abstract In general a nanocomposite material has better characteristics than each individual component, due to the effects produced by the synergies between the organic material and the nanoscale of the inorganic material. In this work new hybrid nanocomposites based on poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and FeO(OH) nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. FeO(OH) nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical bath. The P3HT-FeO(OH) nanocomposites were in-situ synthesized by chemical oxidation of 3HT (Sugimoto method) at different weight ratios (3HT/FeO(OH): 1/0.029, 1/0.048 and 1/0.074), using FeCl 3 as oxidant/catalyst. Effect of FeO(OH) nanoparticles content in P3HT on its physicochemical properties was studied. The dyads and triads configuration was determined by 1 H NMR. In comparison with P3HT, a higher regioregularity was obtained in the composites with 3HT/FeO(OH) weight ratio of 1/0.048 and 1/0.074. The FTIR analyzes showed the presence of FeO(OH) in the P3HT and a strong interaction between P3HT and FeO(OH). Thermal stability and decomposition temperature were determined by thermogravimetry (TGA), better thermal stability and higher degradation temperature were showed by the composites. The UV–Vis and photoluminescence analyzes showed higher absorbance and higher photoluminescence intensity in P3HT-FeO(OH) nanocomposites, indicating the incorporation of FeO(OH) in the P3HT. Finally the composites were characterized by SEM and X-ray analysis. Composites showed interesting properties for optoelectronic applications.