Luminescent Polymer Electrolytes Prepared by Growing ZnO Nanoparticles in the Matrix of Polyethylene Glycol

Abstract

An in situ method for the production of bright green, luminescent nanoparticles loaded polymer electrolytes is reported. Using this approach, the complicated multistep process, which is associated with existing methods can be replaced with only a single step. The single key step is growing the luminescent nanoparticles inside the polymer matrix, instead of dispersing the prepared nanoparticles by a mixing process, as is currently used in conventional methods. This method also allows the sizes of the nanoparticles to be controlled by using different quantities of precursors as well as by adjusting the storage time prior to drying. This new class of materials has considerable potential for use in the preparation of devices that simultaneously produce both electrical current and light, such as luminescent electrochemical cells, self-powered displays, and related devices. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.