Fabrication and characteristics of organic semiconductor nanoparticles of copper phthalocyanine oligomers

Nanoparticles of copper phthalocyanine oligomers (O-CuPc) with peripheral carboxylic acid groups have successfully been prepared by a simple method of liquid phase direct precipitation in the presence of different surfactants. X-ray diffraction patterns, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–visible spectra are employed to characterize the novel organic nanoparticles. The sizes and size distribution of the resulting O-CuPc nanoparticles show a noticeable dependence on surfactants. Nonionic surfactant is helpful in forming uniform nanoparticles. Also we observe a remarkable nanosize effect of the O-CuPc particles.

Graphical abstract(Left) TEM micrograph of O-CuPc nanoparticles obtained in the presence of MPEG. (Right) Schematic representation of the structures of MPEG-capped O-CuPc nanoparticles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide