Carbon nanotube-templated assembly of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) in solution

Jiahua Zhu; Eric Stevens; Youjun He; Kunlun Hong; Ilia Ivanov

doi:10.1117/12.2238149

23 September 2016 Carbon nanotube-templated assembly of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) in solution

Jiahua Zhu, Eric Stevens, Youjun He, Kunlun Hong, Ilia Ivanov

Proceedings Volume 9919, Nanophotonic Materials XIII; 991916 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2238149
Event: SPIE Nanoscience + Engineering, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Control of structural heterogeneity by rationally encoding of the molecular assemblies is a key enabling design of hierarchical, multifunctional materials of the future. Here we report the strategies to gain such control using solution- based assembly to construct a hybrid nano-assembly and a network hybrid structure of regioregular poly(3- alkylthiophene) - carbon nanotube (P3AT-CNT). The opto-electronic performance of conjugated polymer (P3AT) is defined by the structure of the aggregate in solution and in the solid film. Control of P3AT aggregation would allow formation of broad range of morphologies with very distinct electro-optical. We utilize interactive templating to confine the assembly behavior of conjugated polymers, replacing poorly controlled solution processing approach. Perfect crystalline surface of the single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT/MWCNT) acts as a template, seeding P3AT aggregation of the surface of the nanotube. The seed continues directional growth through pi-pi stacking leading to the formation of to well-defined P3AT-CNT morphologies, including comb-like nano-assemblies, super- structures and gel networks. Interconnected, highly-branched network structure of P3AT-CNT hybrids is of particular interest to enable efficient, long-range, balanced charge carrier transport. The structure and opto-electionic function of the intermediate assemblies and networks of P3AT/CNT hybrids are characterized by transmission election microscopy and UV-vis absorption.

Citation Download Citation

Jiahua Zhu, Eric Stevens, Youjun He, Kunlun Hong, and Ilia Ivanov "Carbon nanotube-templated assembly of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) in solution", Proc. SPIE 9919, Nanophotonic Materials XIII, 991916 (23 September 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2238149

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