Self‐Assembled Dense Colloidal Cu2Te Nanodisk Networks in P3HT Thin Films with Enhanced Photocurrent. (18th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arciniegas, Milena P.; Stasio, Francesco Di; Li, Hongbo; Altamura, Davide; De Trizio, Luca; Prato, Mirko; Scarpellini, Alice; Moreels, Iwan; Krahne, Roman; Manna, Liberato
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 26:Number 25(2016)
• Page Start: 4535
• Page End: 4542
• Publication Date: 2016-04-18
• Subjects: hexagonal nanodisks -- nanocomposites -- photocurrent -- polymers -- self‐assembly; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201600751
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract : The integration of colloidal nanocrystals with polymers adds optoelectronic functionalities to flexible and mechanically robust organic films. In particular, self‐assembled structures of nanocrystals in polymers can act as functional components enhancing, for instance, transport or optical properties of the hybrid material. This study presents Cu2 Te hexagonal nanodisks that assemble into ribbons with a face‐to‐face configuration in poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2, 5‐diyl) through a controlled solvent evaporation process. The ribbons form weaving patterns that create 3D networks fully embedded in the thin polymer film at high nanodisk concentration. The photoresponse of these composite films measured in a layered vertical geometry demonstrates increased photocurrent with increasing nanocrystal loading. This study attributes this behavior to the presence of networks of Cu2 Te nanodisks that form a bulk heterojunction with the semiconducting polymer, which improves exciton dissociation and the overall photoelectric response. Abstract : A remarkable self‐organization of hexagonal Cu2 Te nanodisks into worm‐like structures is formed in P3HT thin films by a controlled solvent evaporation process, creating a 3D network fully embedded in the polymer. Such internal nanoarchitecture, extended over several microns in the polymer, significantly improves the performance of the polymer film by acting as an active material and enhancing the photocurrent response.