Studies on the structural and optical properties of samarium β-diketonate complex incorporated electrospun poly(methylmethacrylate) nanofibres with different architectures

Electrospinning is the most favourable method for production of polymer nanofibres. In this study, we prepared a samarium beta-diketonate complex that incorporated pure, surface-roughened and coaxial hollow poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibres through electrospinning. The successful incorporation of this samarium complex into the PMMA nanofibres with different architectures was elucidated through various structural and morphological studies. Optical investigations as well as other characterization techniques for the pure, surface-roughened and coaxial hollow PMMA nanofibres before and after incorporating the samarium beta-diketonate complex explained the host matrix nature of the PMMA nanofibres. Photoluminescence properties of the pure and structurally modified PMMA nanofibres were enhanced two or three times after incorporating the samarium complex into the fibre. Comparison of the optical properties between the pure and structurally modified PMMA nanofibres incorporating the samarium beta-diketonate complex demonstrated the structural and optical improvements as well as the better host matrix nature of the surface-roughened and coaxial hollow PMMA nanofibres over pure PMMA nanofibres for the samarium beta-diketonate complex. These optical enhancements make these materials applicable for various optical devices.

Automated summary

Electrospinning was used to produce PMMA nanofibres with surface-roughened and coaxial hollow structures, incorporating a samarium complex. Optical properties of the nanofibres were significantly enhanced after the incorporation of the samarium complex, indicating better performance of the surface-roughened and coaxial hollow PMMA nanofibres in the presence of the complex.