Photoinduced electron transfer and enhancement of photoconductivity in silicon nanoparticles/perylene diimide composites in a polymer matrix

An inorganic-organic hybrid composite was prepared from a soluble N-dodecyl-N'-phenyl-3,4,9,10-peryienetetracarboxylic diimide (DOPP) and silicon nanoparticles (NPs). The silicon NPs were synthesized by a solution-phase method. Remarkable photoluminescence (PL) quenching was observed in the composite dispersed in a polymethyl methacrylate matrix. On the basis of the analysis of the PL quenching mechanism, it was demonstrated that a photoinduced electron transfer from silicon NPs to DOPP could occur in the composite. The photoconductivity of the composite was studied, and the photosensitivity enhancement of the composite was realized due to the photoinduced electron transfer between silicon NPs and DOPP.