Effect of functionalisation of MWCNTs on optical and morphological properties of MEH–PPV/MWCNTs nanocomposites. (29th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chehata, N.; Ltaief, A.; Farzi, A.; Ilahi, B.; Bouazizi, A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of nanotechnology. Volume 10:Number 5/6/7(2013)
• Page Start: 577
• Page End: 586
• Publication Date: 2013-04-29
• Subjects: conjugated polymers -- functionalised CNTs -- mutli–walled CNTs -- MWCNTs -- carbon nanotubes -- nanocomposites -- charge transfer -- critical concentration -- nanotechnology -- morphology; 620.505
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1475-7435

Abstract

The effect of functionalisation of Multi–Walled CNTs (MWCNTs) as a way to ameliorate their dispersion has been quantified. Two kinds of nanocomposites have been elaborated, using a spin–coating as deposition technique: poly (2–methoxy–5–(2–ethyhexyl–oxy)–p–phenylenevinylene) (MEH–PPV) as an electron donor, pristine MWCNTs and polystyrene–functionalised MWCNTs (PS:MWCNTs) as electron acceptors. MEH–PPV/MWCNTs and MEH–PPV/PS:MWCNTs nanocomposites are characterised by photoluminescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy to study the charge transfer efficiency and morphological properties of these structures. An efficient charge transfer in MEH–PPV/MWCNTs and MEH–PPV/PS:MWCNT nanocomposites has taken place, but is broken when reaching a critical concentration of 0.5 and 1 wt.%, respectively. Once these critical concentrations are reached and supported by AFM images, aggregates of MWCNTs and PS:MWCNTs have been observed.