Metal-enhanced fluorescence of mixed coumarin dyes by silver and gold nanoparticles: Towards plasmonic thin-film luminescent solar concentrator

• Published in: Journal of luminescence 2013-11, Vol.143, p.43-49
• Main Authors: El-Bashir, S.M., Barakat, F.M., AlSalhi, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Coumarin; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Differential scanning calorimetry; Dyes; Exact sciences and technology; Fluorescence; Gold; Materials science; Metal enhanced fluorescence; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanopowders; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Photoluminescence; Physics; Plasmonic luminscent solar concentrator; PMMA thin films; Scanning electron microscopy; Silver; Silver and gold nanoparticles; Thin films
• ISSN: 0022-2313; 1872-7883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.04.029

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite films doped with mixed coumarin dyestuffs and noble metal nanoparticles (60nm silver and 100nm gold) were prepared by spin coating technique. The effect of silver and gold nanoparticles on the film properties was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. DSC measurements indicated the increase of the glass transition temperature of the films by increasing nanogold concentration, recommending their promising thermal stability towards hot climates. It was found that the fluorescence signals of the mixed coumarin dyes were amplified by 5.4 and 7.15 folds as a result of metal enhanced fluorescence (MEF). The research outcomes offered a potential application of these films in solar energy conversion by plasmonic thin film luminescent solar concentrator (PTLSC). Plasmonic thin film luminescent solar concentrators. [Display omitted] •Metal enhanced fluorescence was achieved for mixed coumarin dyes doped in PMMA nanocomposite films.•The amplification of the fluorescence signals is dependent on the concentration of silver and gold nanoparticles.•These films is considered as potential candidates for plasmonic thin film luminescent solar concentrators (PTLSCs).