Enhanced surface morphology and transport property of poly( N ‐vinylcarbazole)/gold nanocomposite Langmuir–Schaefer films

Abstract A composite of poly( N ‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) containing gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was synthesized via simple solid‐state in situ bulk polymerization of N ‐vinylcarbazole in the presence of GNPs at a high temperature. Both PVK and PVK–GNP composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the composites was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal stability was identified via thermogravimetric analysis. The composites were fabricated into films using the Langmuir–Schaefer process. The enhancement in the characteristics of room temperature I–V, pressure–area isotherms, and photoelectrochemical behaviors was observed in the composite films. Results suggest that a charge transfer process occurs across the hybrid at the interface of the PVK–GNP composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers