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. 2025 Mar 6;17(5):704.
doi: 10.3390/polym17050704.

Investigations on Thermal Transitions in PDPP4T/PCPDTBT/AuNPs Composite Films Using Variable Temperature Ellipsometry

Paweł Jarka  1 , Barbara Hajduk  2 , Pallavi Kumari  2 , Henryk Janeczek  2 , Marcin Godzierz  2 , Yao Mawuena Tsekpo  1 , Tomasz Tański  1
Affiliations

Investigations on Thermal Transitions in PDPP4T/PCPDTBT/AuNPs Composite Films Using Variable Temperature Ellipsometry

Paweł Jarka et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Herein, we report a comprehensive investigation on the thermal transitions of thin films of poly [2,5-bis(2-octyldodecyl)pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole-1,4(2H,5H)-dione -3,6-diyl)-alt-(2,2';5',2″;5″,2'″-quaterthiophen-5,5'″-diyl)]PDPP4T, poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethy-lhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta [2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] PCPDTBT, 1:1 blend of PDPP4T and PCPDTBT, and their composites with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The thermal transitions of these materials were studied using variable temperature spectroscopic ellipsometry (VTSE), with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) serving as the reference method. Based on obtained VTSE results, for the first time, we have determined the phase diagrams of PDPP4T/PCPDTBT and their AuNPs composites. The VTSE measurements revealed distinct thermal transitions in the thin films, including characteristic temperatures corresponding to the pure phases of PDPP4T and PCPDTBT within their blends. These transitions were markedly different in the AuNPs composites compared to the neat materials, highlighting the unique interactions between the polymer matrix and AuNPs. Additionally, we explored the optical properties, surface morphology, and crystallinity of the materials. We hypothesize that the observed variations in thermal transitions, as well as the improvement in optical properties and crystallinity, are likely influenced by localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and passivation phenomena induced by the AuNPs in the composite films. These findings could have important implications for the design and optimization of materials for optoelectronic applications.

Keywords: polymer/nanoparticle composites; thermal transitions; thin films; variable temperature ellipsometry.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structures of PCPDTBT (a) and PDPP4T (b).
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
The ellipsometric model used for the measurement fittings.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Absorption spectra, determined using Spectra Ray 3 (a), and the energy gaps, determined with the Tauc graphical method (b).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Δ at 930 nm as a function of temperature for PCPDTBT (a), PDPP4T (c), their 50% blend (e), and their AuNPs composites with 10% Au (b,d,f).
Figure 4
Figure 4
DSC plots, with a heating rate of 20 °C/min, for pure PCPDTBT (a) and PDPP4T (b) and for PCPDTBT: PDPP4T (1:1) blend (c).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Phase diagram of PCPDTBT, PDPP4T, their PCPDTBT: PDPP4T blend films and their AuNPs composites.
Figure 6
Figure 6
The XRD patterns of PCPDTBT (a), PDPP4T (b), 1:1 blend (c), and their AuNPs composites.
Figure 7
Figure 7
15 × 15 μm 3D topographic surface images of PCPDTBT (a), PDPP4T (c), their 1:1 blend (e), and their corresponding AuNPs composites (b,d,f) obtained using AFM microscope.
Figure 7
Figure 7
15 × 15 μm 3D topographic surface images of PCPDTBT (a), PDPP4T (c), their 1:1 blend (e), and their corresponding AuNPs composites (b,d,f) obtained using AFM microscope.
Figure 8
Figure 8
The mean square root of the roughness of PCPDTBT, PDPP4T, their PCPDTBT: PDPP4T blend films and their AuNPs composites.
Scheme 2
Scheme 2
Representation of the localized surface plasmonic effect in the polymer/AuNPs composite.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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