Self-ordering promoted by the nanoconfinement of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and its nanocomposite with single-walled carbon nanotubes. (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khlaifia, Dalila; Désert, Anthony; Mbarek, Mohamed; Garreau, Alexandre; Mevellec, Jean-Yves; Massuyeau, Florian; Faulques, Eric; Alimi, Kamel; Duvail, Jean-Luc
• Is Part Of: Nanotechnology. Volume 30:Number 5(2019)
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: self-ordering -- nanofiber -- template -- P3HT -- SWNT composite -- nanostructuration -- optoelectronic; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Publications périodiques; Nanotechnologies; Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaf0c0
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4484

Abstract

Abstract: Nanostructuration and self-ordering of semiconducting organic materials are required to fabricate highly efficient photovoltaic and photoemissive devices. In this work, we investigated the combined effect of melt-assisted template processing and self-ordering of high purity regio-regular poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to obtain nanofibers of P3HT and of P3HT-single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) nanocomposites. An original ordering of the polymer and the carbon nanotubes within the nanofibers, as well as their surprising anisotropic photoluminescent properties were determined by vibrational and optical spectroscopy. It was attributed to the combined effect of the melt-assisted wetting confined within alumina nanopores, altogether with the self-organization of both P3HT chains on the one hand, and of the P3HT charged with SWNT on the other hand. It is proposed that the well-ordered regio-regular P3HT matrix orientation is promoted by the interaction with the alumina pore surface and the 1D confinement. For the composite case, the P3HT matrix imposes additionally a preferential orientation of the SWNT transversal to the nanofiber axis. This original organization is responsible for the unexpected polarization of the composite nanofibers photoluminescence. This work opens the way to alternative methods for tackling challenges of nanofabrication to obtain more efficient optoelectronic nanodevices.