Spectroscopic evidence for the bulk polymerization of N-vinyl carbazole in the presence of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The bulk polymerization reaction of N-vinylcarbazole (VK) at 70 °C in the presence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) leads to a new composite, whose optical properties were studied by photoluminescence (PL), surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. A dramatic reduction of the poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) PL efficiency and a change in the vibrational structure of the PL spectrum of this polymer were observed by adding SWNTs to the synthesis mixture. Steric hindrance effects were evidenced both in SERS spectra of the VK when it interacts mechanico-chemically with SWNTs and in FTIR spectra of the un-doped PVK/SWNTs' composites. Cyclic voltammetry was used to demonstrate the doping process of PVK in PVK/SWNTs' composite.A post-doctoral fellowship to MB by the Spanish Ministry of Science is gratefully acknowledged. Partial funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology (grant no. MAT 2002-04529-C03) is also acknowledged.Peer reviewe