In this study, we report a facile and efficient method using supercritical (SC) CO2 to help a p-type conducting polymer, conjugated polymer MDMO-PPV wrapping on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). One-dimensional CNTs were periodically decorated with the congeries of MDMO-PPV molecular chains forming functional nanohybrid structures. The solubility and light emission of the hybrid MDMO-PPV/CNTs can be controlled by varying SC CO2 pressure. Using FT-IR, we can observe there exists chemical interaction between MDMO-PPV and CNTs, and the interaction not only bestowed CNTs desired solubility but also added functionality of light emission to CNTs. The fluorescence spectroscopy of the MDMO-PPV/CNTs shows their light emission is strongly depend on solvent. For DMSO as the solvent, the higher SC CO2 pressure ensures the excellent dispersion and solubility of MDMO-PPV/CNTs, and accordingly causes the light quenching of the hybrid. For DMAc as the solvent, the enhanced emission light can be observed from the MDMO-PPV/CNTs, especially at higher SC CO2 pressure. We anticipate this work opens a gateway for making use of SC CO2 to help functionalize CNTs with conjugated polymer for use in polymer solar cells, light-emitting diodes, and others.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.