Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Multiwalled Carbon Hybrid Coaxial Nanotubes: Nanoscale Rectification and Photovoltaic Characteristics

Abstract

We fabricate hybrid coaxial nanotubes (NTs) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with light-emitting poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The p-type P3HT material with a thickness of approximately 20 nm is electrochemically deposited onto the surface of the MWCNT. The formation of hybrid coaxial NTs of the P3HT/MWCNT is confirmed by a transmission electron microscope, FT-IR, and Raman spectra. The optical and structural properties of the hybrid NTs are characterized using ultraviolet and visible absorption, Raman, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra where, it is shown that the PL intensity of the P3HT materials decreases after the hybridization with the MWCNTs. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the outer P3HT single NT show the semiconducting behavior, while ohmic behavior is observed for the inner single MWCNT. The I-V characteristics of the hybrid junction between the outer P3HT NT and the inner MWCNT, for the hybrid single NT, exhibit the characteristics of a diode (i.e., rectification), whose efficiency is clearly enhanced with light irradiation. The rectification effect of the hybrid single NT has been analyzed in terms of charge tunneling models. The quasi-photovoltaic effect is also observed at low bias for the P3HT/MWCNT hybrid single NT.

Wurtzite Cu2ZnSnSe4 nanocrystals for high-performance organic–inorganic hybrid photodetectors

“…Moreover, the absorption of hybrid film exhibits obvious red-shift derived from the reciprocity of the two components. [37][38][39] The hybrid photodetector device was fabricated and measured as previously reported, 8,40 which exhibits excellent photoresponse characteristics as shown in Figure 3b. When the light irradiation was turned on and off, the current output of the device exhibits two distinct states, a 'low' current in the dark and a 'high' current under illumination.…”

Controlled Fabrication of PbS Quantum‐Dot/Carbon‐Nanotube Nanoarchitecture and its Significant Contribution to Near‐Infrared Photon‐to‐Current Conversion

“…Quite likely, the insulating OLA ligands surrounding each PbS QD are the barrier for photo‐excited holes to transport through QD networks. In order to improve the transportation of photo‐excited holes, we incorporated the PbS‐QD/MWCNT nanoarchitecture into a commonly used hole‐conducting polymer, P3HT 45 . Figure shows the absorption spectra of PbS QD, PbS‐QD/MWCNT, and P3HT:PbS‐QD/MWCNT thin film samples, as well as those of pure MWCNT and P3HT film samples.…”

Supramolecular Approaches to Nanoscale Morphological Control in Organic Solar Cells

“…Nanowires have also been employed to improve the performance of lateral organic solar cells (LOSC), in which the cathode and anode are laterally spaced, with the active layer in between. This unconventional architecture has the advantage that it does not require a transparent electrode; however, efficiencies thus far have been limited, largely owing to the relatively long distances over which charges must be transported to reach the electrodes, typically hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers [ 68 , 69 , 70 ]. Due to the favorable charge transport properties and durability of P3HT nanowires, it was possible to make a flexible device with a PCE of 2% under low light intensity (0.1 Sun), that was able to retain 95% of its efficiency after extended stress testing [ 71 ].…”