Computational Modelling of Structural, Electronic, Optical and Vibrational Properties of PVK/C60 Nanoheterostructure Interfaces

In this work, we present first-principles density functional studies of the dynamical properties of three nanoheterostructure interfaces of poly(9-vinylcarbazole)/fullerene (PVK/C60): PVK/C60(α), PVK/C60(β), and PVK/C60(γ). Linear response within density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), as implemented in the Quantum Espresso code, has been employed to explore the nature of permittivity, Born effective charges, polarizabilities, and vibrational frequency modes. The vibrational frequencies for the three nanoheterostructure interfaces were computed and their modes assigned. The phonon modes were also classified, and we showed that some important frequency modes are associated with C-C, CH2, and C−N stretching modes, among others. In addition, computed values of polarizability and permittivity for the nanoheterostructures were seen to have comparable values to that of literature for conjugated polymers. Conspicuous differing characteristics were noticed in the computed infrared and Raman absorption spectra for the three nanoheterostructures, which was due to the structural differences arising from their different stacking patterns. It is noted that the presence of the nitrogen atom plays a significant role in determining their dynamical lattice properties. The permittivity and polarizability tensors of PVK/C60(α), PVK/C60(β), and PVK/C60(γ) nanoheterostructures were found to be strongly anisotropic.