Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Application of Voltage in Dynamic Light Scattering Particle Size Analysis
Published on: January 24, 2020
Size-Dependent Photophysical Behavior of Low Bandgap Semiconducting Polymer Particles
Tersilla Virgili1, Chiara Botta2, Marta M Mróz1
1IFN-CNR Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
The photophysics of water and propan-1-ol suspensions of poly [N-9"-heptadecanyl-2,7-carbazole-alt-5,5-(4,7-di-2-thienyl-2',1',3'- benzothiadiazole)] (PCDTBT) nanoparticles and mesoparticles has been studied by ultrafast spectroscopy. High molar mass polymer (HMM > 20 kg/mol) forms nanoparticles with around 50 nm diameter via mini-emulsion post-polymerization, while low molar mass (LMM < 5 kg/mol) polymer prepared by dispersion polymerization results in particles with a diameter of almost one order of magnitude larger (450 ± 50 nm). In this study, the presence of excited-states and charge separated species was identified through UV pump and visible/near-infrared probe femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. A different behavior for the HMM nanoparticles has been identified compared to the LMM mesoparticles. The nanoparticles exhibit typical features of an energetically disordered conjugated polymer with a broad density of states, allowing for delayed spectral relaxation of excited states, while the mesoparticles show a J-aggregate-like behavior where interchain interactions are less efficient. Stimulated emission in the red-near infrared region has been found in the mesoparticles which indicates that they present a more energetically ordered system.
Related Concept Videos
Basic Postulates of Kinetic Molecular Theory: Particle Size, Energy, and Collision
Polymers
Polymers
Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence

