Synthesis and characterization of a novel hydride polymer P-DSBT/ZnO nano-composite for optoelectronic applications

This paper presents the effect of nanoparticle concentration on the performance of hybrid polymer (P-DSBT)/Zinc Oxide (ZnO) thin layers. For studying the morphology, the structure and the optical behavior of the different synthesized nanocomposites, FTIR transmission spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) were used to characterize ZnO nanostructures, atomic force microscopy, UV–Vis absorption, photoluminescence spectroscopies and contact angle measurement were used to characterize (P-DSBT)/Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites. It has been shown that the RMS (Root Mean Square) roughness of the hybrid layers increases as a function of the percentages of ZnO in the matrix. A clear participation of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites absorption has been demonstrated in UV–Vis spectra with maintaining the absorption features of the polymer. A photoluminescence study at room temperature was been also carried out under optical excitation set as λ = 375 nm. It was confirmed that when increasing the ZnO concentration in the polymer, a shift towards red was observed and the contact angle of the composite layers decreases progressively comparing with the pure polymer. Interestingly, this confirms that polymer and polymer–ZnO hybrid nanocomposites are well adherent to the contaminated free solid surface. •The RMS roughness of the hybrid P-DSBT/ZnO layers increases as a function of the ZnO concentration incorporated in the polymer P-DSBT material•Integrating more ZnO nanoparticle has the effect of stretching the agglomeration regions and further separation of the polymer chains.•The P-DSBT/ZnO hybrid film whose maximum absorption band is located at 445 nm therefore exhibits a red shift with respect to the pure P-DSBT film. [Display omitted] •The RMS roughness of the hybrid P-DSBT/ZnO layers increases with ZnO concentration.•Integrating ZnO nanoparticle has the effect of stretching of agglomeration regions.•The P-DSBT/ZnO hybrid film is located at 445 nm therefore exhibits a red shift.