Monomer type emission of perylenediimide derivatives doped polymer particles

This study aims to present the fabrication of colloidal photonic crystals (PCs) doped with perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives. Monodisperse PDI doped core–shell polymer particles have been obtained by employing a soap-free emulsion polymerization process of styrene and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate with the chromophore solubilized in the organic phase. The obtained polymer colloids allowed the fabrication of PC films that have been investigated by UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The hybrid materials have been investigated in comparison with PCs doped by the classical impregnation method. Thus, the doping using soap-free emulsion polymerization resulted in the obtaining of PDI doped core–shell polymer particles exhibiting monomer emission, whereas by employing an impregnation doping method H-type aggregates are formed.