Synthesis and characterization of MEH-PPV/nanosized titania hybrids prepared via in situ sol–gel reaction

Homogenous organic/inorganic hybrids (MEH-PPV/nanosized-titania) were successfully synthesized via in situ sol–gel reaction, using titanium isopropoxide (TIP) as precursor. These hybrids were prepared under various weight ratios of MEH-PPV/TIP/H2O/2-chlorophenol and different molecular weights of MEH-PPV, whose effects on hybrids’ properties were studied. The hybrids were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD showed clearer crystal patterns at higher conversion of TIP to titania. TGA showed higher residual weight at higher conversion of TIP to titania. At molar ratio of water to TIP of 4.0 and MEH-PPV concentration of 5 mg/ml, homogenous films of the hybrids were observed from SEM, in which the amount of TIP could be as high as 89 wt.%.