Microscopic and spectroscopic study of self-ordering in poly(3-hexylthiophene)/carbon nanotubes nanocomposites.
Poly(3-hexylthiophene)-single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composites were studied using UV-visible absorbance and Raman spectroscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Monolayers of regioregular poly(3-hexyl thiophene) (rrP3HT) adsorbed on SWNTs have been imaged using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to obtain measurements of the chiral angles at which the thiophene polymer chains wrap around individual carbon nanotubes (41-48 degrees with respect to nanotube axis) and polymer interchain spacings (1.68 angstroms). The rrP3HT interchain distance is greater for rrP3HT monolayers adsorbed onto the curved surfaces of SWNTs than on the flat surfaces of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite samples (1.4 angstroms). UV-vis spectroscopic data provided strong evidence for increased interchain interactions in composites of rrP3HT and SWNTs compared to the pure polymer. The STM local-probe studies of the native polymer and the composites further confirmed that the rrP3HT interacts with carbon nanotubes to produce a highly ordered material at the molecular level.
Goh
Roland G S
RG
Centre for Built Environment and Engineering Research, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane 400, Australia.
Bell
John M
JM
Motta
Nunzio
N
Waclawik
Eric R
ER
D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D013876:Thiophenes; C507295:poly(3-hexylthiophene)