Semiconducting Spaghetti-like Organic–Inorganic Nanojunctions via Sequential Self-Assembly of Conjugated Polymers and Quantum Dots

Abstract

The ability to direct semiconducting polymers and inorganic nanomaterials into complex assemblies renders the creation of organic−inorganic nanocomposites with unique properties and functionalities. Herein, we report the crafting of highly interconnected semiconducting organic−inorganic nanocomposites (referred to as nanojunctions) comprising long poly(3hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanowires and lead telluride (PbTe) quantum dots (QDs) via two successive self-assembly processes. First, P3HT chains self-assemble into ultralong one-dimensional (1D) nanowires owing to interchain π−π stacking, followed by self-assembly of PbTe QDs on both sides of the P3HT nanowires driven by attractive van der Waals interactions between the hexyl side chains of P3HT and aliphatic chains capped on the surface of PbTe QDs. Notably, an integrated experimental and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation study reveals that the surface coverage of PbTe QDs within the P3HT/PbTe nanojunctions as well as the distance between adjacent PbTe QDs could be conveniently tailored via tuning the QD concentration. Interestingly, the photoluminescence of P3HT progressively decreases with an increased loading of PbTe QDs because of effective charge transfer from P3HT to PbTe. Conceptually, this two-step self-assembly strategy can be readily extended to other semiconducting polymers and a diversity of nanomaterials for potential applications in optoelectronic materials and devices.

Crystallization-Driven Solution-State Assembly of Conjugated Block Copolymers in Materials Science

“…In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing semiconductor organic–inorganic nanohybrids consisting of conjugated BCPs and inorganic nanoparticles with unique structures and properties. ,− These hybrids combine the advantages of conjugated polymers, including low cost, solution processability, light weight, and flexibility, with the tunable optical, electrical, magnetic, and catalytic properties of inorganic nanoparticles. By coassembling conjugated polymers and nanoparticles through hierarchical or complex self-assembly, it is possible to precisely control the spatial arrangement and nanoscale dimensions, thereby tuning the collective properties of these materials. − Specifically, 1D hybrid nanowires with high aspect ratios have attracted significant attention due to their ability to form continuous channels for charge transport , and have been explored in a variety of fields such as electronics, optics, and sensing.…”

A facile route to fabricating a crack-free Mg0.99Cu0.01Ag0.97Sb0.99/graphene/PEDOT:PSS thermoelectric film on a flexible substrate

“…Herein, we focused on the development of FTE films based on a-MgAgSb to explore them as a potential candidate for room temperature TE applications. An organic-inorganic strategy 9,30,56,57 and an extended approach reported in our previous study are used in the present work. 58 In brief, we used a chemical composition of Mg 0.99 Cu 0.01 Ag 0.97 Sb 0.99 which possesses a broad temperature plateau of ZT above unity as the inorganic matrix, 53 and formed a hybrid material with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS).…”

Impact of Nanoparticle Size and Surface Chemistry on Peptoid Self-Assembly

“…Coupling nanoparticles to information-rich linkers that are stable in organic media would offer the possibility of accessing new hybrid materials with unique functionality. Assemblies in organic media have been explored, typically with self-assembling polymers as the structure-directing agent and show promise to not only organize nanoparticles but to do in a predictive manner to access a wide variety of morphologies [24][25][26][27] .Peptoids, or poly-N-substituted glycines, are peptide analogs that are functionalized on the nitrogen rather than carbon in the backbone sequence [28][29][30] . Through functionalization of the nitrogen, the monomers can be made soluble in a wide range of solvents, including organics, and the hydrogen-bonding interactions that often dominate secondary structure in peptides are absent [28][29][30] .…”

“…Coupling nanoparticles to information-rich linkers that are stable in organic media would offer the possibility of accessing hybrid materials with functionality that has been previously unobtainable. Assemblies in organic media have been explored, typically with self-assembling polymers as the structure-directing agent and show promise to not only organize nanoparticles but to do so in a predictive manner to access a wide variety of morphologies. − …”