title: Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly of CdSe nanorod/polymer nanocomposite thin films.
abstract: Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly was the basis for the synthesis of multilayer nanorod/polymer composite films. Cationic and water-soluble CdSe nanorods (NRs) were synthesized and partnered with anionic polymers including poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and two polythiophene-based photoactive polymers, sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethoxy-4-butylsulfonate (PTEBS) and poly[3-(potassium-6-hexanoate)thiophene-2,5-diyl] (P3KHT). Controlled multilayer growth is shown through UV-vis spectroscopy, cross-sectional SEM and surface analytical techniques including atomic force microscopy. The formation of an intimate nanorod/conducting polymer bulk heterojunction is confirmed through cross-sectional SEM, TEM, and scanning Auger analysis. A series of photovoltaic devices was fabricated on ITO electrodes using CdSe NRs in combination with PTEBS or P3KHT. A thorough device analysis showed that performance was limited by low short circuit current although charge transfer was confirmed in the ELBL nanocomposite thin films.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Nanotechnology, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2M9.
authors.forename: Sean A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Worfolk
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rider
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Jordan A M
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fordyce
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Fleischauer
authors.forename: Ken D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Brett
authors.forename: Jillian M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Buriak
mesh_terms: D002104:Cadmium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012643:Selenium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D002104:Cadmium; D012643:Selenium