Controlled preparation of ZnS nanoparticle arrays in Langmiur monolayer of an unsymmetrical phthalocyaninato zinc complex: Synthesis, organization and semiconducting properties

Abstract

A new unsymmetrical phthalocyaninato zinc complex with typical amphiphilic nature, namely 2,3-di(4-hydroxyphenoxy)-9,10,16,17,24,25-hexakis([Formula: see text]-octyloxy)phthalocyaninato zinc, Zn[Pc(OC8H[Formula: see text](OPhOH)2], has been designed, synthesized, and characterized by a range of spectroscopic methods. The Langmuir monolayer of this amphiphilic complex has been used as not only an organic template but also as a good functional organic material to produce the monodispersed nanoparticles of Zn[Pc(OC8H[Formula: see text](OPhOH)2]/ZnS nanocomposite. In addition, multilayer pure and hybrid films have also been obtained by depositing monolayers of the amphiphilic complex and Zn[Pc(OC8H[Formula: see text](OPhOH)2]/ZnS nanocomposite, respectively, using the Langmuir–Shäfer (LS) method. Surface pressure-area isotherms, UV-vis spectroscopic, and XRD studies indicate that the molecules adopted a face-to-face configuration and edge-on orientation in both the multilayer pure LS and Zn[Pc(OC8H[Formula: see text](OPhOH)2]/ZnS hybrid films. In particular, current–voltage (I–V) measurements reveal the superior conductivity of the Zn[Pc(OC8H[Formula: see text](OPhOH)2]/ZnS hybrid film nanocomposites to that of the stand-alone films, and this is due to the existence of the densely packed molecular architecture in the film matrix and the large interfacial area between the two components. These characteristics remove the charge transporting bottleneck by creating an interpenetrating consistent thin film of hybrid materials. The result sheds lights on new ways for developing organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures with good semiconducting properties.