Abstract
The influence of SiO
2
/TiO
2
nanocomposites (STNCs) content on non-radiative energy transfer (Förster-type) from poly (9,9′-dioctylfluorene-2,7-diyl) (PFO) to poly [2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) using steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies was investigated at room temperature. The improved energy transfer from PFO to MEH-PPV upon an increment of the STNCs was achieved by examining absorbance, emission (PL) and photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra. The shorter values of the quantum yield (φ
DA
) and lifetime (τ
DA
) of the PFO in the hybrid thin films compared with the pure PFO, indicating efficient energy transfer from PFO to MEH-PPV with the increment of STNCs in the hybrid. The energy transfer parameters can be tuned by increment of the STNCs in the hybrid of PFO/MEH-PPV. The Stern–Volmer value (k
SV
), quenching rate value (k
q
), Förster radius (R
0
), distance between the molecules of PFO and MEH-PPV (R
DA
), energy transfer lifetime (τ
ET
), energy transfer rate (k
ET
), total decay rate of the donor (TDR), critical concentration (A
o
), and conjugation length (A
π
) were calculated. The gradually increasing donor lifetime and decreasing acceptor lifetime, upon increasing the STNCs content, prove the increase in conjugation length and meanwhile enhance in the energy transfer.