Synthesis, Characterization and Functionalization of P3HT-CNT Nanocomposite Thin Films with Doped Ag2O

Abstract

This research focuses on the synthesis of carbon nanotube (CNT) and Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) (pristine polymer) with Ag doped (CNT/ P3HT@Ag) nanocomposite thin films to be utilised in various practical applications. First, four samples of CNT solution and different ratios of the polymer (P3HT) [0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 wt.%] are prepared to form thin layer of P3HT@CNT nanocomposites by dip-coating method of Ag. To investigate the absorption and conductivity properties for use in various practical applications, structure, morphology, optical, and photoluminescence properties of CNT/P3HT @Ag nanocomposite are systematically evaluated in this study. In this regard, the UV/Vis/NIR spectrophotometer in the wavelength range of 350 to 700 nm is used to investigate the absorption, transmission spectrum, extinction coefficient (k) and refractive index of the samples prepared at room temperature. The XRD results indicate a slight increase in the crystallite size of the synthesized (CNT/ P3HT@Ag) nanocomposite compared to CNT/P3HT nanocomposite, which can be attributed to the better dispersion of the P3HT and its favorable wrapping around the carbon nanotube structures. FESEM results show that the Ag nanoparticles are acting as a bridge between the CNT and P3HT, creating a strong bond between the two materials that is strong enough to form thicker tubular structures. An appreciable increase in absorbance intensity (approximately 552 nm) is obtained by adding silver nanoparticles to the CNT/P3HT matrix at 0.5% of P3HT. Additionally, the prepared CNT/P3HT@Ag thin films show greater transmittance – more than 42%, 45%, 49%, and 48% for P3HT concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%, respectively. The preparation of the samples' extinction coefficient (k) and refractive index data show that the inclusion of silver nanoparticles to the CNT/P3HT nanocomposite matrix has a significant improvement over the previous samples (CNT/P3HT composite).