Poly(3-hexylthiophene)/multiwalled carbon hybrid coaxial nanotubes: Nanoscale rectification and photovoltaic characteristics

Kihyun Kim, Ji Won Shin, Yong Baek Lee, Mi Yeon Cho, Suk Ho Lee, Dong Hyuk Park, Dong Kyu Jang, Cheol Jin Lee, Jinsoo Joo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We fabricate hybrid coaxial nanotubes (NTs) of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) coated with light-emitting poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The p-type P3HT material with a thickness of ∼20 nm is electrochemically deposited onto the surface of the MWCNT. The formation of hybrid coaxial NTs of the P3HT/MWCNT is confirmed by a transmission electron microscope, FT-IR, and Raman spectra. The optical and structural properties of the hybrid NTs are characterized using ultraviolet and visible absorption, Raman, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra where, it is shown that the PL intensity of the P3HT materials decreases after the hybridization with the MWCNTs. The current - voltage (I - V) characteristics of the outer P3HT single NT show the semiconducting behavior, while ohmic behavior is observed for the inner single MWCNT. The I - V characteristics of the hybrid junction between the outer P3HT NT and the inner MWCNT, for the hybrid single NT, exhibit the characteristics of a diode (i.e., rectification), whose efficiency is clearly enhanced with light irradiation. The rectification effect of the hybrid single NT has been analyzed in terms of charge tunneling models. The quasi-photovoltaic effect is also observed at low bias for the P3HT/MWCNT hybrid single NT.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4197-4205
Number of pages9
JournalACS nano
Volume4
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010 Jul 27

Keywords

  • hybrid nanomaterial
  • multiwalled carbon nanotube
  • nano characterization
  • photovoltaic effect
  • poly(3-hexylthiophene)
  • rectification

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Materials Science(all)
  • Engineering(all)
  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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