Light-emitting color barcode nanowires using polymers: nanoscale optical characteristics

ACS Nano. 2010 Sep 28;4(9):5155-62. doi: 10.1021/nn101096m.

Abstract

We report on the light-emitting color barcode nanowires (LECB-NWs), which were fabricated by alternating the electrochemical polymerization of light-emitting polymers with various luminescence colors and efficiencies. The nanoscale photoluminescence characteristics of LECB-NWs were investigated using a laser confocal microscope with a high spatial resolution. The alternating light emissions of the LECB-NWs showed orange-yellow, red, and green colors due to the serial combination of poly(3-butylthiophene), poly(3-methylthiophene), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), respectively, with distinct luminescence intensities. The optical detection sensitivity and stability of LECB-NWs have been enhanced through a nanoscale Cu metal coating onto the NWs, based on surface plasmon resonance coupling and protection against oxidation. The flexibility of the LECB-NWs has been investigated through the folding and unfolding of the NWs by an applied nanotip impetus. The flexible LECB-NWs can be used as highly sensitive optical identification nanosystems for nanoscale or microscale products with complex physical shapes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Color
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Elasticity
  • Electronic Data Processing / methods*
  • Energy Transfer
  • Light*
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Optical Phenomena*
  • Polymers / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Copper