Synthesis of Co₃O₄/poly(N-vinylcarbazole) core/shell composite with enhanced optical property

Co₃O₄/poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PNVC) composite with enhanced optical property was synthesized via a simple in situ bulk polymerization of NVC monomers in the presence of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles at an elevated temperature. High-resolution electron microscopic observations showed that the Co₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with uniform nanolayer shells of PNVC. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed the presence of strong interactions between the PNVC polymer chains with the Co₃O₄ surface in the Co ₃O₄/PNVC composite. Raman spectroscopic results supported conclusions based on electron microscopy and FT-IR spectra. The uniform nanolayer coating of PNVC decreases the inherent bulk conductivity of Co ₃O₄, however, significantly increases the fluorescence property of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles.