Multi-colour emission from dye doped polymeric nanotubes by host–guest energy transfer

Abstract

Emission chromaticity tuning in polymeric nanotubes was achieved by transfer of excitation energy from a polymer host matrix poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) to incorporated luminescent chromophore guests (Coumarin 6 and Nile red). Nanotubes were synthesized in densely packed arrays by solution assisted template wetting. Un-doped PVK tubes displayed blue luminescence while Coumarin 6 and Nile red doped tubes exhibited characteristic green and red luminescence with minimal PVK emission, confirming effective host–guest energy transfer. The emission spectral data of single nanotubes, and indicated that, by varying the type and relative concentrations of the dopant dyes, nanotube emission could be tuned from the blue, through green and yellow, to the red and, ultimately, to white, while maintaining excellent color purity.