Nanohybrid materials based on nanoparticles of the intrinsically microporous polymer PIM-1 and graphene oxide (GO) are prepared from aqueous dispersions with a reprecipitation method, resulting in the surface of the GO sheets being decorated with nanoparticles of PIM-1. The significant blueshift in fluorescence signals for the GO/PIM-1 nanohybrids indicates modification of the optoelectronic properties of the PIM-1 in the presence of the GO due to their strong interactions. The stiffening in the Raman G peak of GO (by nearly 6 cm-1) further indicates p-doping of the GO in the presence of PIM. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) and electrochemical reduction measurements of the nanohybrids provide direct evidence for charge transfer between the PIM-1 nanoparticles and the GO nanosheets. These observations will be of importance for future applications of GO-PIM-1 nanohybrids as substrates and promoters in catalysis and sensing.
Keywords: catalysis; charge transfer; graphene oxide; microporous polymers; nanoparticles.