Enhanced photoluminescence from gold nanoparticle decorated polyaniline nanowire bundles

Abstract

Enhanced emission is observed from a nanocomposite consisting of conducting polyaniline nanowire bundles decorated with gold nanoparticles synthesized by simple physical blending and in situ interfacial polymerization techniques. Structural investigations revealed that both the methods led to the formation of nanocrystalline gold particles dispersed in a crystalline polyaniline nanowire matrix but the interfacial method leads to a better dispersion of the nanoparticles. Spectroscopic signatures suggest a strong electronic interaction between conducting polyaniline and gold that is manifested by a drastic modification of the plasmon absorption band of gold nanoparticles along with a significant enhancement in the emission characteristics. We, therefore, have a luminescent solid state material composed of gold and a conducting polymer which can find a huge range of applications based on suitable tailoring of the electrical and optical properties.