In this article, we demonstrate the surface effect and optoelectronic properties of holmium (Ho(sup3+))-doped ZnO in P3HT polymer nanocomposite. We incorporated ZnO:Ho(sup3+) (0.5 mol% Ho) nanostructures in the pristine P3HT-conjugated polymer and systematically studied the effect of the nanostructures on the optical characteristics. Detailed UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis revealed enhanced absorption coefficient and optical conductivity in the P3HT-ZnO:Ho(sup3+) film as compared to the pristine P3HT. Moreover, the obtained photoluminescence (PL) results established the improvement of exciton dissociation as a result of ZnO:Ho(sup3+) nanostructures inclusion. The occurrence of PL quenching is the result of enhanced charge transfer due to ZnO:Ho(sup3+) nanostructures in the polymer, whereas energy transfer from ZnO:Ho(sup3+) to P3HT was verified. Overall, the current investigation revealed a systematic tailoring of the optoelectronic properties of pristine P3HT after inclusion of ZnO:Ho(sup3+) nanostructures, thus opening brilliant perspectives for applications in various optoelectronic devices.
Reference:
Kabongo, G.L., Mbule, P.S., Mhlongo, G.H., Mothudi, B.M., Hillie, K.T. and Dhlamini, M.S. 2016. Photoluminescence quenching and enhanced optical conductivity of P3HT derived Ho3+-doped ZnO nanostructures. Nanoscale Research Letters, 11(418), pp 1-11
Kabongo, G., Mbule, P., Mhlongo, G. H., Mothudi, B., Hillie, K. T., & Dhlamini, M. (2016). Photoluminescence quenching and enhanced optical conductivity of P3HT derived Ho3+-doped ZnO nanostructures. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/9507
Kabongo, GL, PS Mbule, Gugu H Mhlongo, BM Mothudi, Kenneth T Hillie, and MS Dhlamini "Photoluminescence quenching and enhanced optical conductivity of P3HT derived Ho3+-doped ZnO nanostructures." (2016) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/9507
Kabongo G, Mbule P, Mhlongo GH, Mothudi B, Hillie KT, Dhlamini M. Photoluminescence quenching and enhanced optical conductivity of P3HT derived Ho3+-doped ZnO nanostructures. 2016; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/9507.